Environmental Rules in Amherst, NY (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Amherst requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan before approving any land development activity, reviewed by a dedicated Stormwater Management Officer. The rule implements the state SPDES general permit and applies to Planning Board site-plan projects and other land development alike, with narrow exemptions for farms, gardens and small repairs.
Amherst Requires a Stormwater Plan for Development
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 172-21, § 172-25(A)
The purpose of this article is to establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls to protect and safeguard the general health, safety, and welfare of the public residing within this jurisdiction... Meet the requirements of minimum measures 4 and 5 of the SPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from municipal separate stormwater sewer systems (MS4s), Permit No. GP-02-02,...
Erosion Control
Amherst's erosion and sediment control rules bar disturbing more than five acres of a construction site at one time without an approved plan, require inspections of erosion controls every seven days and after any half-inch storm, and set design standards straight from the state's Erosion Control Manual.
Amherst Caps Construction Disturbance at Five Acres
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 172-25(B)(1)(d)
Construction phasing plan describing the intended sequence of construction activities, including clearing and grubbing, excavation and grading, utility and infrastructure installation and any other activity at the site that results in soil disturbance. Consistent with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Erosion Control Manual), not more than five acres sh...
Flood Zones
Any construction, filling, grading or excavation within Amherst's mapped area of special flood hazard needs a floodplain development permit from the Local Administrator before work starts. Permit fees start at $300 for the first acre, and building without one is punishable by up to a $250 fine and 15 days in jail per day of noncompliance.
Amherst Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsAmherst Code § 7-7-6B(1)
Purpose. A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in this community for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and insuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding. It shall be unlawful to undertake any development...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements to a home in one of Amherst's mapped special flood hazard areas must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation, per Amherst Code § 7-7-7C(1)(a). The Commissioner of Building, acting as the Town's Local Administrator, will not issue the required floodplain development permit or certificate of compliance until that freeboard is documented.
Amherst Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 7-7-7C(1)(a),(b)
§ 7-7-7C(1)(a): "Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation." § 7-7-7C(1)(b): "Within Zone A, when no base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements shal...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
Environmental Rules in Erie County →