Erosion Control: Mesa vs Surprise

Do I need an erosion control plan for my project?

Yes, any project requiring a grading permit must include an erosion control plan. Even smaller projects must comply with Maricopa County dust control regulations (Rule 310) to prevent fugitive dust during construction.

What happens during monsoon season?

Mesa's monsoon season (July through September) brings intense storms that increase erosion risk. Active construction sites must have enhanced erosion controls in place, and contractors should inspect BMPs before and after storm events.

Do I need a stormwater permit for construction in Surprise, AZ?

If your project will disturb one acre or more of land (or less than one acre if it is part of a larger common plan of development), you must obtain coverage under the ADEQ AZPDES Construction General Permit AZG2020-001 by filing a Notice of Intent and preparing a site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with erosion and sediment controls before any earth-disturbing work begins. Surprise is a Phase II MS4 community, and city grading and drainage submittals are reviewed under Chapter 107 of the Land Development Ordinance using MAG Standard Specifications and the Maricopa County Drainage Design Manual.

Who enforces erosion control on Surprise construction sites?

ADEQ enforces the AZPDES Construction General Permit AZG2020-001 and the SWPPP requirements statewide, with civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation under ARS 49-262. The City of Surprise enforces local grading, drainage, and erosion-control submittal requirements under Chapter 107 of the Land Development Ordinance and prohibits illicit discharges of sediment, concrete washout, paint, or other pollutants into the city's storm drains and washes through its Phase II MS4 Stormwater Management Program.