GREENFIELD, Calif. – June 10, 2026 – The City of Greenfield announced on June 12 that its
temporary building moratorium on certain new development projects is now in effect following
final review and approval by the California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD).
The moratorium was originally adopted by the Greenfield City Council through Ordinance No.
575 on August 26, 2025, in response to critical wastewater treatment capacity constraints at the
City’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The ordinance temporarily suspends the issuance of
new building permits for projects that would require new wastewater connections or increase
wastewater flows to the City’s wastewater system.
The moratorium became effective on June 10, 2026.
“This action is necessary to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and ensure
compliance with state and regional water quality requirements while the City advances critical
wastewater infrastructure improvements,” said Paul Wood, Greenfield City Manager.
The City’s wastewater treatment plant currently operates at its permitted treatment capacity of
approximately 1.2 million gallons per day. In recent years, the facility has experienced
operational challenges, including wastewater spills, notices of violation from the Central Coast
Regional Water Quality Control Board, and capacity limitations that have raised concerns
regarding the City’s ability to accommodate additional wastewater flows.
According to Ordinance No. 575, approximately 116 development projects already holding valid
building permits are expected to contribute additional wastewater flow, while numerous other
projects are approaching permit eligibility. The City Council determined that issuing additional
building permits before wastewater treatment improvements are completed could exacerbate
existing capacity challenges and increase the risk of wastewater overflows and environmental
impacts.
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has repeatedly expressed concerns
regarding the facility’s capacity limitations and, in a June 2025 letter, supported restrictions on
new wastewater connections until significant treatment plant upgrades are completed.
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The City is actively pursuing a comprehensive Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project
that will expand treatment capacity to 2.0 million gallons per day. To that end, the City has
secured a $75 million grant from the CA State Water Board and $36.3 million in State Revolving
Fund loans. The project includes construction of a new membrane bioreactor treatment system,
expansion of effluent disposal capacity, and development of recycled water infrastructure to
support future growth while meeting increasingly stringent water quality requirements.
During the moratorium period, the City will continue processing entitlement applications and
planning approvals. Existing approved entitlements will be placed on hold and will not expire
during the moratorium. The City will also implement an Interim Capacity Management Plan that
includes water conservation measures, flow-offset programs, accelerated fats, oils, and grease
(FOG) reduction efforts, and enhanced enforcement of unauthorized sewer connections.
The ordinance contains several exemptions, including:
· Projects holding valid building permits as of the ordinance’s effective date;
· Projects required by court order;
· Construction necessary to implement the City’s wastewater treatment plant improvement
project;
· Certain grant-funded projects where funding eligibility could be jeopardized; and
· Construction necessary to protect public health and safety as determined by the City
Manager.
The City Council will review the moratorium every six months and may modify or repeal it if
wastewater capacity conditions improve. The moratorium will remain in place until the City
determines that sufficient wastewater treatment capacity is available or until completion of the
wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
City officials emphasized that the moratorium is intended as a temporary measure to preserve
system reliability while Greenfield secures long-term wastewater infrastructure solutions
necessary to support future residential, commercial, and economic growth.
For additional information regarding the temporary building moratorium and the City’s
wastewater treatment plant improvement efforts, please contact the City of Greenfield Planning
and Building Division.
Economic and Community Development Department
Planning and Building Division
inspections@ci.greenfield.ca.us
831-304-0333
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