Erosion and Sediment Control

There are two categories of erosion and sediment control requirements for construction sites in the City of Sioux Falls.

Projects disturbing one acre or more of land shall:

• Submit a notice of intent and have coverage under the state general permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activity. (See SDDANR)
• Have an approved building or grading permit before commencing land disturbing activities.
• Comply with chapter 12 of the city’s engineering design standards.
• Notify the environmental division when the site has reached final stabilization and file a notice of termination with the state. (See SDDANR)

Projects disturbing under one acre of land shall:

• Have an approved building permit before commencing land disturbing activities.
• Comply with chapter 12  of the engineering design standards until they are classified as a minor impact construction site. 

Minor Impact Construction Site (MICS)

Individual lots within an approved subdivision or larger common plan of development or sale that have land disturbing activities of less than one acre shall be classified as a MICS if:

• A notice of intent has been submitted and the subdivision has coverage under the state general permit for storm water discharges associated with construction activity. (See SDDANR)
• The subdivision has an approved erosion sediment control plan.
• The individual lot has been sold or transferred to a new owner.
• The property owner has executed the city’s notice of stabilization form or an approved alternate.

General Erosion and Sediment Control Expectations for City of Sioux Falls.

All construction site owners or their representatives shall:  

• Not remove or damage the subdivision’s approved erosion/sediment control devices. 
• Ensure that soil, landscape materials, rock or mulch is not stockpiled, stored or placed on streets, sidewalks or stormwater flow lines.
• Ensure paved streets/sidewalks adjacent to the site are cleaned of sediment accumulations at the end of each workday.
• Initiate, by the end of the same workday, the removal of offsite sediment accumulations to minimize impacts to adjacent property.
• Not allow concrete trucks to discharge surplus concrete on the site unless a washout area has been designated.
• Monitor onsite construction equipment for leaks, and promptly cleanup any spills.
• Apply soil surface stabilization within 14 days to all disturbed areas that may not be at final grade but will remain dormant (undisturbed) for periods longer than 21 calendar days.
• Regularly inspect erosion and sediment control devices to ensure proper function until all disturbed areas have reached permanent stabilization.
• Maintain all erosion and sediment control devices until all disturbed areas are permanently stabilized with 70 percent perennial cover or by another alternative approved by the City.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Environmental Division at 605-367-8276.