Elko County, NV Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Elko County Code § 5-4-6 is the grading section of the subdivision regulations, and subsection (C) is the erosion control rule. All cleared slopes, all cuts and fills and all other areas vulnerable to erosion must be stabilized with grass or other protective cover, or properly mulched to assure establishment, riprapped for slope control, or treated with appropriate drainage benches as determined by the County. On steep slopes the code adds that controls can be required as necessary to the circumstance, so the county sets the treatment for each site. Subsection (A) adds a geologic layer: if geologic problems are likely or apparent, a geologic survey report can be required before tentative plat approval. Subsection (B) says all grading requirements are those set out in the section.

Other Title 5 sections tighten the rule. Under § 5-4-7(B), at the time of tentative plat approval the Planning Commission can impose, as a condition of approval, restrictions on the making of improvements that consist of clearing brush and trees or moving earth by mechanical equipment. Those restrictions can include a period of time during which no such improvements can be made, once the Planning Commission determines the work would present a real danger of pollution, contamination or silting of lakes, rivers, streams or domestic water supplies, of erosion damage, or of alteration of natural drainage patterns in a way likely to damage property or persons.

Section 5-4-7(C) requires all water leaving a development to be discharged into a controlled outlet stabilized storm channel for erosion control, and off-site drainage water must be materially free of silt or other polluting features. Section 5-4-5(C) protects live streams: a conservation easement, with a width set by stream flow requirements, must be provided along all live streams to contain the channel during flood stages, and no tree or bush removal, gravel excavating, filling or sidecasting of materials is allowed within it. Section 5-4-5(B) preserves natural drainage ways with appropriate easements.