Albany County enforces NYS DEC SPDES General Permit GP-0-20-001 for construction sites disturbing 1+ acre. Erosion and sediment control plans required, with extra protections for Hudson River and Normans Kill watershed drainage.
Albany County implements New York State DEC's SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity (GP-0-20-001) under ECL Article 17. Any land-disturbing activity of one acre or more requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) reviewed by the municipal engineer. Projects disturbing 5+ acres require enhanced controls. Towns like Colonie, Bethlehem, and Guilderland enforce local stormwater laws echoing the state standard. Silt fence, inlet protection, stabilized construction entrances, and erosion control blankets are required BMPs per the NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (the Blue Book). Disturbed areas must be temporarily stabilized within 14 days (7 days in Hudson River direct drainage areas). The Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical review. Stop-work orders and DEC enforcement referrals follow violations.
Missing or failed erosion controls: stop-work order and town fines $250 to $2,500 per day. Sediment discharge to Hudson River, Normans Kill, or Patroon Creek: DEC penalties up to $37,500 per day under ECL Article 71. Failure to file SWPPP: permit revocation.
Albany, NY
Albany Police remove abandoned vehicles under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law §1224 and the city's 72-hour street-parking rule. A vehicle is "abandoned" under...
Albany, NY
Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance (Chapter 375) restricts where boats, boat trailers, campers, travel trailers, and recreational vehicles ma...
Albany, NY
New York is one of a small group of states with a "spite fence" statute on the books. Under Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law (RPAPL) §843, any fence o...
Albany, NY
Albany requires a building permit before constructing a new fence or replacing an existing one. Under USDO §375-98 ("Location of Fences and Walls"), fences i...
Albany, NY
Albany has no breed-specific dog ban. New York Agriculture & Markets Law §107(5) expressly preempts breed-specific legislation: municipalities may run their ...
Albany, NY
Albany permits up to six hens (no roosters) at any residential dwelling with a hen license issued by the City Clerk under Chapter 115, Article VIII. The appl...
See how Albany's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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