Dane County, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 20,000 sq ft new impervious surface
- Base stormwater permit fee
- $500
- Additional fee
- $0.016/sq ft impervious area
- Also triggered by
- plat or certified survey map
- Governing law
- Dane County Code ch. 14, § 14.07
Summary
Development in Dane County that adds 20,000 square feet of impervious surface since August 22, 2001, or that requires a plat or certified survey map, needs a stormwater management permit under Chapter 14 before grading starts. Land disturbance over 4,000 square feet on commercial, industrial, or multifamily sites also triggers the requirement.
14.07 APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENT FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMITS. Unless otherwise exempted by sec. 14.08, a stormwater management permit under sec. 14.10 shall be required and all stormwater management provisions of this chapter shall apply to any of the following activities within Dane County: (1) Any development(s) after August 22, 2001 that result(s) in the cumulative addition of 20,000 square feet of impervious surface to the site. (2) Any development that requires a plat, as defined in applicable local land division ordinance(s). (3) Any development that requires a certified survey map, as defined in the applicable local land division ordinance(s); for property intended for commercial or industrial use. (4) Land disturbing activity in excess of 4,000 square feet on sites developed as commercial, industrial, institutional or multifamily.
Full Breakdown
06, for five categories of development: any project after August 22, 2001 that cumulatively adds 20,000 square feet of impervious surface; any development requiring a plat under the local land division ordinance; any development requiring a certified survey map for property intended for commercial or industrial use; land-disturbing activity over 4,000 square feet on commercial, industrial, institutional, or multifamily sites; and other development the local approval authority determines in writing may significantly increase downstream runoff, flooding, erosion, or pollution, or affect a lake, stream, or wetland.
016 per square foot of new or redeveloped impervious area. 12, and adding no new driving lanes, are exempt from runoff-rate-control standards, though not from the permit itself. Applicants may request a $50 preliminary review letter, credited against the base fee if obtained.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 14's enforcement mechanics in § 14.18 apply equally to stormwater permits: the local approval authority can issue a stop-work order for posted noncompliance, giving the permittee 24 hours after direct notice (72 hours after mailed notice) to correct it before the county performs the work itself and bills the owner. Section 14.19 sets penalties of $200 to $1,000 per day, each day a separate offense, plus prosecution costs and possible injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a stormwater permit the same as an erosion control permit in Dane County?
What triggers a Dane County stormwater permit for a subdivision?
How much does a stormwater management permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dane County
Compare Dane County to another location·View the Wisconsin environmental rules overview
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