Alexandria, VA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

City Code Sec. 1 makes it unlawful to construct or erect any building or structure on land in the city unless an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan is in force, and Sec. 5-4-2 extends the same requirement to enlarging an existing building's footprint. Sec. 5-4-3 separately bars clearing, grading, excavating, filling, removing topsoil, or changing the contour of land, and bars removing or destroying trees, shrubs, grass, weeds, vegetation or ground cover, unless an approved plan is in force. Sec. 5-4-4 goes further and requires that once a plan is approved, all construction, grading and vegetation removal proceed strictly in accordance with it.

Under Sec. 5-4-6, no building permit or land-disturbance permit may issue until the plan is submitted, approved, and the applicant certifies in writing the plan will be followed; the person carrying out the plan must also identify an individual holding a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality certificate of competence under Sec. 15:52 who will be responsible for the land-disturbing activity. Sec. 5-4-5 exempts small disturbances, generally those under 2,500 square feet with no drainage ditch or swale draining more than 2,500 square feet and no grade over 10 percent, along with routine lawn care, dead or diseased vegetation removal, utility connections, and a handful of other narrow categories.

An approved plan expires 180 days after approval under Sec. 5-4-15 unless the work is completed or an updated plan is approved. The director may waive the plan requirement under Sec. 5-4-16 only on written application and only if waiving it will not increase erosion or sedimentation. A final decision to disapprove a plan can be appealed in writing to the city manager within 30 days under Sec. 5-4-18.