Durham UDO Section 12.10 requires an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan for land-disturbing activities of one acre or more, or 12,000 square feet in certain watersheds. Plans must comply with the NC Sedimentation Pollution Control Act. The city conducts inspections during construction and can issue stop-work orders and civil penalties for violations. Stormwater runoff velocity from a 25-year storm must not exceed pre-development levels.
Durham mandates erosion and sediment control for construction sites and land-disturbing activities. Grading permits typically require an erosion control plan. Best management practices include silt fencing, straw wattles, erosion control blankets, stabilized construction entrances, and sediment basins. Disturbed areas must be stabilized within a set timeframe. Inspections required during construction. Permanent stabilization through vegetation or hardscape required upon completion. Violations can result in stop-work orders.
Missing erosion controls: stop-work order and fines $250 to $2,500. Sediment discharge to waterways: fines $1,000 to $25,000 per day. Failure to stabilize: daily fines until corrected.
Durham, NC
Durham caps daytime sound at 60 dBA (8 AM to 11 PM) and nighttime sound at 50 dBA (11 PM to 8 AM) under Ch. 26, Sec. 26-23. Measured at property line using A...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots face additional restrictions along s...
Durham, NC
Durham does not require a permit for most residential fences or walls. Permits are required for retaining walls, pool barriers on single-family parcels, prop...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO Section 9.9 sets general fence standards including setbacks, orientation, and vision-clearance rules. Fences between structures and streets within...
Durham, NC
Durham requires a building permit for all retaining walls. Retaining walls over 4 feet at street frontage must be terraced in Design Districts. Walls over 8 ...
Durham, NC
Durham UDO 9.9 prohibits razor wire, concertina wire, and barbed wire in residential districts. Uncoated chain link is banned in CI and Design Districts.
See how Durham's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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