Georgetown, KY Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Article III of Chapter 14 (Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control) controls land disturbances, soil storage and the erosion and sedimentation that result. The issuing authority is the Georgetown Stormwater Quality Division (GSQUAD) and its designees (§ 14-62). Under § 14-63, a land disturbance permit is required for soil disturbance of 5,000 square feet or greater. A lot under one acre that is part of a larger common plan of development disturbing one acre or more is not exempt: the lot owner or homebuilder gets a separate permit, and the developer stays jointly responsible until the larger plan receives an approved KPDES notice of termination. Exemptions cover work under 5,000 square feet not in or near critical areas, cemetery graves, emergencies posing immediate danger to life or property, agricultural operations under an individual agriculture water quality plan, and usual and customary site investigations. They fall away if the issuing authority determines runoff from the work is creating erosion.

Every application includes a SWPPP (§ 14-65), submitted as a Tier I or Tier II plan. GSQUAD responds in writing within five working days of a complete application and Tier I SWPPP, or 20 working days for a Tier II SWPPP, and silence does not authorize anyone to proceed (§ 14-64).

Section 14-66 follows the Kentucky Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Manual and Field Guide. Cut and fill slopes stay at 2H:1V or flatter unless approved. Clearing and grading cannot start until sediment control devices are installed. Sites greater than 30 acres phase their clearing, and measures must handle storm events up to and including a two-year, 24-hour event. Construction vehicles cannot track mud onto public roads, so crushed stone entrances or an on-site tire washing station are required, and maintenance is performed before the next storm event.

Under § 14-67 the permittee notifies the issuing authority 24 hours in advance of inspections, except routine or post-rainfall inspections, and keeps a report after each inspection at the job site. Permit fees follow a schedule on file in the clerk-treasurer's office (§ 14-69).