Frederick County, VA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Frederick County Code § 143-125(A) bars anyone from conducting a VESCP land-disturbing activity until the County land-disturbing permit is obtained from the Administrator and kept in good standing. No permit issues without an erosion and sediment control plan the County has approved, and certification that a designated responsible land disturber will carry the plan out. All other federal, state and local permits for grading or site work must also be in hand before work begins.

Section 143-160(C) sets performance goals the plan has to meet to the maximum extent practicable, including limiting the area disturbed at any one time to the minimum needed for the work, phasing construction to shorten how long soil stays exposed, and directing construction traffic and stockpiling to designated areas to protect native soils. Steep ground gets specific treatment: disturbing slopes of 15% or steeper is to be avoided where practicable, and if disturbance of a 15%-or-steeper slope cannot be avoided, the Code requires the area be stabilized immediately with an approved stabilization measure (§ 143-160(C)(4)). The plan must also provide fifty-foot natural vegetated buffers around surface waters where feasible.

Frederick County Public Works serves as the certified Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program authority, with a certified plan reviewer and inspector on staff, under § 143-160(A). A disapproved plan gets a written notice within 45 days stating why; if the County takes no action within that window, the plan is deemed approved.