Evansville, IN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- land disturbance under 1 acre
- First citation penalty
- $100-$250 civil penalty
- Second citation penalty
- $500-$750 civil penalty
- Standard referenced
- IN DNR erosion-control handbook
- Enforcement tool
- stop-work order + City corrective work
Summary
Before disturbing under an acre of land in Evansville, property owners must install erosion and sediment control practices, with city inspections and escalating fines for sites that don't comply.
No property owner shall begin, cause to begin, or continue any land-disturbing activity on less than one acre prior to installing the required erosion and sediment control practices.
(B) During the construction activity at a site, erosion and sediment control measures necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter shall be maintained, at all times.
(C) On-site sediment shall be detained on site by erosion and sediment control measures.
(D) Water shall not be discharged from the site in a manner that causes erosion or sedimentation at or downstream of the point of discharge.
(E) All access to building sites that cross a natural watercourse, drainage easement, or swale/channel shall have an appropriately designed culvert or crossing.
(F) Public or private roadways and drains off site and on site shall be kept cleared of sediment by the property owner.
(G) All storm drain inlets shall be protected against sedimentation.
(H) Drainage ways and swales shall be protected adequately to prevent channel or outlet scouring and to prevent reduction of flow capacity by sedimentation.
Authorized agents of the City are authorized to enter the site for the purpose of investigating noncompliance reports and verifying compliance measures. If entry is denied by the owner, a court order may be sought to allow such entry. [Ord. G-2008-12 § 5, passed 4-9-08; Ord. G-96-22, passed 11-25-96. 1983 Code § 9.98.05.]
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Evansville Municipal Code Chapter 16.15 bars any property owner from beginning or continuing land-disturbing activity, grading, excavating, filling, or stockpiling, on a site of less than one acre until required erosion and sediment control measures are installed and maintained. Measures must follow the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' erosion-control handbook, keep sediment on site, protect storm drain inlets, and prevent scouring of drainage ways. City-authorized agents can enter a site to investigate; a noncompliant site gets a correction notice, then escalating citations, a stop-work order, and City-performed corrective work billed to the owner if violations continue.
Violations & Fines
Continued noncompliance draws a first citation of $100-$250, a second of $500-$750, then a stop-work order and City-performed corrective work billed to the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade a small residential lot in Evansville?
What happens if my construction site washes sediment onto the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
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