Ames, IA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 5A implements the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Sec. 5A.1). Any applicant required by state or federal rule to hold a State NPDES General Permit #2 must obtain a separate City COSESCO Permit, in addition to, not instead of, the state permit (Sec. 5A.1(3)(a)). Applications go through Public Works and require an application fee plus per-inspection fees set by City Council resolution; missing an inspection bill by 30 days is itself a violation (Sec.

5A.2(3)). Applicants must submit their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and all state permit materials to the City for review (Sec. 5A.2(5)-(6)). Once permitted, an applicant has an absolute duty to monitor site conditions and report any change that risks off-site discharge within 24 hours; the City also inspects at least twice a year (Sec. 5A.3-5A.4). When the enforcement officer finds non-compliance, the applicant gets a written bill of particulars and must complete corrective action within 48 hours, or a longer period the City allows for good cause; missing that deadline is a violation that triggers enforcement (Sec.

5A.3(2), 5A.4(3)-(4)). Sec. 5A.5 lets the City pursue civil action, including injunctive relief and recovery of its attorneys' fees, or charge the violation as a municipal infraction carrying a $500 penalty for a first offense and $750 for each repeat offense under Iowa Code Sec. 364.22. Sec. 5A.6 requires applicants to post performance security, such as a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit, of $500 per acre of disturbed area on sites larger than five acres. Administrative decisions can be appealed to the City Council within five business days under Sec. 5A.7, with further appeal to Iowa District Court.