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Beloit, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing sections
§§8-901, 8-904, 8-909, 8-913
Trigger size
1+ acre of land disturbance
Enforcing officer
City Engineer
Permit review window
30 business days
Permit duration
180 days, renewable 180 more
Penalty
Forfeiture, §25.04(1), per-day violation

Summary

Any construction site disturbing one acre or more of land in the City of Beloit needs a City Engineer-approved erosion and sediment control plan and permit before work starts. The rules implement Wisconsin's NR 151 construction-site standards locally and carry a forfeiture penalty under § 25.04(1) for every day of violation.

8-901FINDINGS OF FACT AND STATEMENT OF INTENT. The City Council finds that runoff from land disturbing construction activity carries a significant amount of sediment and other pollutants to the waters of the state in the City. The intent of this ordinance is to require use of best management practices to reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants resulting from land disturbing construction activities on sites that do not include the construction of a building and are otherwise regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services in SPS 321.125 or SPS 360, Wis. Adm. Code. ... 8-904APPLICABILITY AND JURISDICTION.a.Applicability.1.Except as provided under paragraph (b), this ordinance applies to any construction site, as that term is defined in Section 8-905, which has one or more acres of land disturbing construction activity. ... f.Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in §25.04(1) of this Code of General Ordinances of the City of Beloit. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Update 01 - 05-2026).

Full Breakdown

234, Wis. Stats. 125 or SPS 360. Under § 8-904, the ordinance reaches any construction site with one or more acres of land-disturbing activity, plus any smaller site the City Engineer decides could overload drainage facilities or cause channel erosion. Section 8-909 requires a permit from the City Engineer before work starts, backed by an erosion and sediment control plan meeting § 8-908's performance standards, which include preventing sediment from being tracked onto streets, discharged into storm inlets, or eroding from soil stockpiles left more than 7 days.

The City Engineer has 30 business days to approve or deny a complete application; missing that deadline counts as automatic approval. Permit holders must notify the City Engineer within 48 hours of starting work, inspect BMPs within 24 hours of any half-inch rain event, and keep weekly inspection logs on site. Permits run 180 days, renewable for another 180. 04(1) of the Code of General Ordinances, with each day of violation counted as a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Land-disturbing construction on an acre or more without a permit, or a failure to implement the approved erosion and sediment control plan, lets the City Engineer post a stop-work order under § 8-913 and, if the responsible party does not comply, revoke the permit or seek a cease-and-desist order through the City Attorney. Any violation also carries a forfeiture under § 25.04(1) of the Code of General Ordinances, with each day counted separately, and the City can recover its abatement costs as a special charge on the property's tax bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a Beloit construction project need an erosion control permit?
Once land-disturbing construction activity reaches one acre, § 8-904 requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan and a permit from the City Engineer before work begins. Smaller sites can also be pulled in under § 8-904 if the City Engineer decides the runoff could overload drainage facilities or cause channel erosion.
What happens if a Beloit contractor starts grading without an erosion control permit?
The City Engineer can post a stop-work order under § 8-913, and if the contractor keeps working, revoke any permit or ask the City Attorney to seek a cease-and-desist order in court. A forfeiture under § 25.04(1) applies as well, with each day of the violation counted as a separate offense.
How long does a Beloit erosion control permit last?
Section 8-909(g) sets a base permit term of 180 days from issuance, or the length of the building permit if longer. The City Engineer can extend it for one or more additional 180-day periods on written request, and may add BMP requirements as a condition of any extension.

Sources & Official References

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