Bexar County, TX Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Operators of any construction site in Bexar County disturbing one acre or more must comply with the TCEQ TPDES Construction General Permit, which mandates an erosion and sediment control plan as part of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Standard BMPs include perimeter silt fence along downslope property lines, storm drain inlet protection, stabilized construction entrance pads of crushed stone, sediment basins on sites with 10 or more acres disturbed, and progressive seeding or mulching of disturbed areas within 14 days of completing grading in that portion of the site. Bexar County Public Works enforces county drainage and flood damage prevention regulations on plat and permit approvals and can require additional BMPs where runoff threatens downstream roads, bridges, or properties. Sites within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone are subject to heightened TCEQ requirements: BMPs must be selected from the TCEQ Complying with the Edwards Aquifer Rules Technical Guidance, temporary sediment controls must be installed before clearing begins, and site inspections are required after each half-inch rainfall event. Hillside development in northwestern Bexar County near Government Canyon and the Scenic Loop area is particularly sensitive because steep slopes combined with shallow soils over karst geology accelerate erosion.