Bellevue, WA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- CSWPPP required
- Above thresholds in BCC 23.76.035
- Seasonal limit
- Oct 1 - Apr 30 restricted clearing/grading
- Heavy rain
- Clearing, grading, hauling flatly barred
- Short form
- <7,000 sq ft clearing / <500 cy grading
- Governing code
- BCC 23.76.090
- Enforcement
- Civil violation, BCC 1.18.075
Summary
Bellevue requires a Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (CSWPPP) for clearing, grading and land-disturbing projects that trip the city's permit thresholds, and bars most clearing, grading and hauling between October 1 and April 30 unless the applicant shows silt-laden runoff will stay on site, with a flat ban during heavy rain.
A. Purpose. The purpose of minimum requirement 2 is to prevent erosion and the discharge of sediment and other pollutants into the storm and surface water system and receiving waters using appropriate BMPs and site management techniques. B.1. Minimum Requirement 2. This section describes requirements for applicants to prepare a CSWPPP for new development, redevelopment, and land disturbing activities that meet the thresholds set forth in this chapter. Applicants and permittees are responsible for preventing erosion and discharge of sediment and other pollutants into the storm and surface water system and receiving waters. The city does not offer erosivity waivers. ... 6. Seasonal Work Limitations. From October 1st through April 30th, clearing and grading activities shall only be authorized by the city if silt-laden runoff will be prevented from leaving the site through compliance with applicable provisions of BCC 23.76.093, now or as hereafter amended. Based on the information provided and/or local weather conditions, the director may expand or restrict the seasonal limitation on site disturbance. b. Clearing, grading, and hauling are not allowed during periods of heavy rain.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6929, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
06, the Storm and Surface Water Code, and the state Department of Ecology stormwater manual. 035, and the city offers no erosivity waivers. The director may exempt projects already covered by the Washington Department of Ecology's construction stormwater general permit, with proof of permit coverage and a copy of the project's SWPPP, or minor projects clearing 1,000 square feet or less and grading 50 cubic yards or less that still need a clearing and grading permit. Projects clearing less than 7,000 square feet and grading less than 500 cubic yards can use a CSWPPP short form with a site plan, sometimes paired with turbidity and pH monitoring.
093 keeps silt-laden runoff from leaving the site, though the director can expand or restrict the window based on weather; routine BMP maintenance, non-soil-exposing utility maintenance, and fully self-contained runoff activities are exempt from the seasonal limit, but clearing, grading and hauling stop outright during periods of heavy rain no matter the date.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Bellevue's clearing and grading chapter, including a missing or unimplemented CSWPPP or violating the seasonal work limitation, is a civil violation under BCC 1.18.075 as set out in BCC 23.76.190, carrying a monetary penalty and possible abatement requirements. It is separately unlawful under the same section to remove, mutilate, destroy or conceal a stop-work or violation notice the director has posted on the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bellevue require an erosion control plan for construction?
Can I clear and grade land in Bellevue during the winter?
What if my Bellevue project is small?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellevue
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle erosion control.