Erosion Control

Uncontrolled erosion, sedimentation and runoff during construction is a pollution source that negatively impacts storm water quality, clogs City sewers, and is hazardous for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Madison General Ordinances Chapter 37 stipulates that the following land disturbing activities that take place within the limits of the City of Madison are subject to erosion control and require a permit from the City.

• Land disturbing activity in excess of 4,000 square feet resulting in the loss or removal of protective ground cover or vegetation.
• Land disturbing activity that involves excavating or filling, or any combination thereof, in excess of 400 cubic yards of material.
• Any public (federal, state or local) street, road or highway that is constructed, enlarged, relocated or substantially reconstructed.
• Any new public or private roads or access drives longer than 125 feet.
• Land disturbing activity that disturbs more than 100 lineal feet of road ditch, grass waterway or other land area where surface drainage flows in a defined open channel; including placement, repair or removal of any underground pipe, utility or other facility within the cross-section of the channel.
• Any subdivision of land as defined by Sec. 16.23 of the Madison General Ordinances entitled “Land Subdivision Regulations” which requires plat approval or any certified survey.
• Any use by a unit of government or by public or private utilities in which underground pipe or facilities will be laid, repaired, replaced or enlarged for a distance of over 300 feet.
• The area has any slope of twelve percent (12%) or larger regardless of the size of the site.
• Land disturbing activity that disturbs less than 4,000 square feet of land, including the installation of access drives, that the Administrative Authority determines to have a high risk of soil erosion or water pollution, or that may significantly impact a lake, stream, wetland, or other sensitive area. Examples of activities with a high risk of soil erosion or water pollution may include, but are not limited to, land disturbance on erodible soil or adjacent to lakes, rivers, streams or wetlands. All such determinations made by the Administrative Authority shall be in writing, unless waived by the applicant.

Depending on your proposed project’s type and size it will be reviewed by the Building Inspection Staff or Engineering Division Staff. Building Inspection oversees erosion control permitting and enforcement for all Single & Duplex Residential Construction Sites resulting in land disturbance. The Engineering Division oversees erosion control permitting enforcement for all other construction / land disturbing activities (i.e. 3-unit or larger residential, commercial construction, utility, plat grading, etc.)