Burlington, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

234, Wis. , bars any responsible party from starting land-disturbing construction activity without first getting the City Engineer's approval of an erosion and sediment control plan and a permit, per § 148-9A. Applicants submit the plan and application, along with a fee that doubles if disturbance work starts before the permit issues, to the City of Burlington Building Inspector. The City Engineer has 10 business days after a complete application to approve or disapprove it, stating reasons in writing for any disapproval, and failing to respond within that window counts as automatic approval.

The City Engineer can require a surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit to guarantee the plan gets carried out. Permit holders must notify the City Engineer within 48 hours of starting work and within 14 days of finishing best management practices (BMPs), inspect BMPs within 24 hours of any half-inch rain event during active construction and at least weekly, and log each inspection's date, inspector, and site conditions. Permits last 180 days, or as long as the underlying building permit, whichever is longer, and the City Engineer can extend that period.

The chapter applies to sites with land-disturbing activity that are part of a common plan of development, and the City Engineer can bring smaller sites under the chapter if their runoff threatens drainage capacity or public safety. State agencies, agricultural and silviculture operations, and most transportation facilities are excluded.