Under Michigan Part 91 and the Grand Rapids SESC ordinance, any earth change within 500 feet of a lake, stream, or the Grand River requires erosion controls and a permit, regardless of project size. Silt fence, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances are mandatory.
Kent County administers Part 91 SESC permits citywide for projects within 500 feet of surface water or disturbing one acre or more. Plans show limits of disturbance, drainage patterns, temporary and permanent stabilization measures, and a maintenance schedule. Slopes steeper than one-to-four require additional matting or terracing. Inspections occur weekly and after every half-inch rain event until final stabilization. Failure to maintain controls leads to corrective orders. The ordinance complements Title 5 grading provisions and aims to keep sediment out of the Grand River, which feeds Lake Michigan.
Stop-work orders are common. Civil fines start at 500 dollars and escalate per day. Sediment that reaches a waterway can trigger state misdemeanor charges under MCL section 324.9112 with fines up to 25,000 dollars per day.
Grand Rapids, MI
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Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids follows the International Fire Code as adopted by Michigan, capping residential propane storage and requiring outdoor placement away from igniti...
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids has no municipal ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments (statues, garden gnomes, pink flamingos, religious displays, flagpoles, decorat...
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids has no ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday decorations (lawn inflatables, blow-up Santas, animated displays). Const...
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids has no municipal ordinance setting a calendar window for displaying holiday lights, no rule prohibiting year-round residential lighting, and no ...
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids does not have a dedicated 'outdoor kitchen' permit category. Permanent outdoor kitchens with structural elements (built-in grill enclosures, mas...
See how Grand Rapids's erosion control rules stack up against other locations.
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