Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Land Disturbance Permit?
A Land Disturbance Permit acts as a contract between the county and the permittee and requires the permittee to comply with local and state codes and grant the county access onto the property in order to perform inspections to verify whether the permittee is in compliance with these regulations. Most land disturbing activities will require an erosion and sediment control plan and a Stormwater Management Plan to be submitted to the county for review.

Who needs a Land Disturbance Permit?
Land Disturbance Permits are required for, but are not limited to, the following:

• the construction of single family residences
• for any logging operation that disturbs 10,000 square feet or more of topsoil
• for any clearing activity on private property with soil disturbance of 10,000 square feet or more
• for the construction of ponds that disturb 10,000 square feet of soil and that are not for bona-fide agricultural purposes
• for any development on prior-developed land
• for any development that takes place in a common plan of development

How is a Land Disturbance Permit obtained for the construction of a single family residence?
An application for a Land Disturbance Permit for the construction of single family residences should be submitted along with the building permit application. For construction of single family residences, applicants are required to submit the following documents along with the associated fees:

• Land Disturbance Permit Application: Single Family Residence
• Agreement In Lieu of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
• Agreement In Lieu of a Stormwater Management Plan
• Site Evaluation for Single Family Homes
• Additional information may be required

How is a Land Disturbance Permit obtained for non-residential construction projects?
Any project that is part of a common plan of development will require a permit for, but not limited to, the following:

• Stormwater
• Commercial projects
• Subdivisions
• Industrial projects that disturb 10,000 square feet and more will require a Land Disturbance Permit for both erosion and sediment control and stormwater management
• Amendments to previously developed parcels which will also require stormwater permit coverage regardless of the amount of disturbed acreage

What is the cost of a permit?
Land Disturbance Permits include an erosion and sediment control fee and a stormwater management fee for most projects.

For single family residences, the fees include an erosion and sediment control fee of $150.00. Additionally, a stormwater management fee of $209.00 is also required for projects that are part of a common plan of development, which for construction of single family residences, projects are considered part of a common plan of development if the parcel being built upon was platted after July 1, 2004 and for any project with 1 acre of disturbance or more.

For non-single family residence projects, the fees are based on disturbed acreage. Please refer to the “Fee Schedule” to determine the cost of your application/permit.

How long is the permit good for?
Single Family Residence permits run for 36 months congruently with the building permit. Renewals are required every 6 months at $75.00 per renewal after the initial expiration.

Other Land Disturbance Permits are good for 18 months and require renewals every 6 months after the initial expiration.

What happens if work begins without a permit?
If work begins without the issuance of a permit, a “Lot Stabilization” bond may be required to be posted. Land Disturbance Permits, Zoning Permits, or Building Permits will not be issued until the bond has been posted.

What is needed to assure compliance for erosion and stormwater and obtain a C.O.?
All land disturbing permitted projects need to comply with the conditions of the Land Disturbance Permit. To obtain a certificate of occupancy, if the project was required to have a Land Disturbance Permit, the project will be required to stabilize all disturbed areas associated with the project. Please refer to the regulations for standards and specifications for stabilization.