Greece, NY Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger threshold
- 1 acre or more of disturbance
- Reviewing officer
- Stormwater Management Officer
- Sediment removal trigger
- 50% of trap/pond capacity
- Closeout vegetation cover
- 80% perennial cover, full site
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 1 year jail, per day
Summary
Greece requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan approved by the Stormwater Management Officer before disturbing one acre or more of land, following NYSDEC erosion and sediment control standards. Violations bring a stop-work order and fines up to $1,000 per day.
This article shall be applicable to all land disturbance activities that will disturb one or more acre of land unless exempted under § 176-19B of this article. ... Any applicant requesting site plan approval or a permit for land disturbance activity which would require the disturbance of one or more acres of land shall also include with a submission a SWPPP that shall be reviewed and approved by the Stormwater Management Officer prior to issuance of the final site plan approval or a permit. ... Any person who fails to comply with any provision of this chapter ... shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4702072; v22 updated 2025-08-21; through 08-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 176, Article III governs land disturbance activity in the Town. Under § 176-16, the article applies to any land disturbance of one or more acres, including smaller phases of a larger common plan of development that together reach one acre. Section 176-18 requires erosion and sediment controls that meet the NYSDEC's Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control, and postconstruction runoff controls that meet the NYS Stormwater Management Design Manual; any deviation must be shown equivalent and the SWPPP prepared by a licensed or certified professional.
Under § 176-19, an applicant for site plan approval or a land disturbance permit covering one acre or more must submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for review and approval by the Stormwater Management Officer before final approval issues, plus a filing fee under § 176-24. Emergency activity and defined agricultural activity are exempt under § 176-19B. During construction, § 176-23 requires sediment to be removed from traps or ponds once their capacity is reduced by 50%, and bars land disturbance that causes turbidity creating substantial visible contrast to natural surface water conditions.
Project closeout requires re-establishing 80% perennial vegetative cover over the full site, removing all temporary erosion controls, and a written certification of final stabilization by a licensed New York State professional before securities are released.
Violations & Fines
Under Article V, the Chief Engineer can issue a stop-work order under § 176-36 whenever work proceeds without a valid stormwater permit or violates the chapter, and can issue an appearance ticket under § 176-39. Section 176-40 sets the penalty at up to $1,000 or up to one year imprisonment, or both, per offense, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Greece construction site need an erosion control plan?
Who approves a SWPPP in the Town of Greece?
What happens if a builder violates the erosion control rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greece
New York rules heatmap·Compare Greece to another location·View the New York environmental rules overview
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Monroe County handle erosion control.