An Erosion and Sediment ("E&S") Control Plan must be submitted and a permit granted before any land disturbing activity greater than 2,500 square feet can occur. A land disturbing activity is: any land change, including but not limited to, clearing, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land, or other construction activities which would disturb the natural vegetation or the existing contours of the land, which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments.

Location:
5^th Floor, Room 501, City Hall Building, Department of Planning and Community Development, 810 Union Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Contact:
Bureau of Environmental Services
Telephone: (757) 664-4368
Facsimile: (757) 664-4370

Requirements:
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan including such items as:

• Any existing physical features including property lines, buildings, water courses, water ways or lakes, wetlands, primary coastal sand dunes or reaches
• Existing and final contours, drainage patterns and direction of flow arrows
• Utilities
• Limits of clearing and grading
• Existing vegetation
• Location and detail drawings for recommended erosion control measures
• Consideration of maintenance requirements for erosion control measures and the sequence of land disturbing and construction activities
• A narrative or outline which details the sequence of construction, demolition and all other land disturbing activities

Procedure:

• The E&S Control Plan is reviewed for conformance with the minimum standards and specifications in the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations and the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, 1992.
• An approved site plan serves as a land disturbing activity permit.

Time Frame:
Up to 2 weeks for plan review

Fees:
None

Other:
Erosion permits are not required for the following: home gardens; individual home landscaping, maintenance or repairs; individual service connections; septic tank lines or drainage (except within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area); railroad track maintenance; disturbed land areas of less than 2,500 square feet in size; emergency work and repairs to protect life, limb or property; installation of sign posts or poles.