Evanston, IL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 23 of Title 4 governs erosion and sediment control on Evanston construction sites, consistent with the Cook County storm water management plan under § 4-23-1. Every new development that disturbs the site during construction must use baseline best-management practices under § 4-23-3-1: preconstruction photos of the surrounding right-of-way, a stabilized construction entrance, inlet protection filters, silt fences, sediment traps, compaction control, and good housekeeping. Once disturbance exceeds 5,000 square feet, § 4-23-5 requires a full control plan, approved before the building permit issues, that follows the Illinois Urban Manual and keeps all site runoff passing through sediment controls before it leaves the property, including through any winter construction shutdown, when open areas must get temporary seeding, mulching, or erosion control blankets before the fall growing season ends.

Permanent controls must start within seven days of finishing soil-disturbing work. During construction, § 4-23-8 requires perimeter controls and a tarp on any stockpile left in place more than two days, protected storm sewer inlets, graveled or paved wash-down areas so soil is not tracked onto public streets, and same-day removal of any soil that is tracked out. The City reviews and can withhold the building permit under § 4-23-9-1 until the plan satisfies every provision of the chapter, and inspectors may visit the site during construction under § 4-23-9-2; any deficiency found must be corrected within three calendar days at the applicant's expense. Sites larger than one acre face separate Cook County stormwater regulation on top of the City's requirements.