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Gwinnett County, GA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit
Land disturbance permit required before grading
Temporary stabilization
Within 14 calendar days of inactivity
Permanent stabilization
Within 30 calendar days of inactivity
Stream buffer
25 ft standard, 50 ft trout streams
Scope
Unincorporated Gwinnett County only

Summary

In unincorporated Gwinnett County, land-disturbing construction requires a land disturbance permit and Best Management Practices; disturbed soil must be stabilized with temporary cover within 14 days of inactivity and permanent vegetation within 30 days.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Gwinnett County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Temporary vegetation or mulching shall be employed to protect exposed critical areas during development. The disturbed area shall be stabilized with temporary vegetation or mulch if land-disturbing activity temporarily ceases for more than 14 calendar days.

Source: Municode LibraryView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).

Full Breakdown

Gwinnett County's UDO requires a land disturbance permit from the Department of Planning and Development before grading, clearing, or construction begins in the unincorporated county. Applicants must submit an Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Plan using Best Management Practices, and disturbed areas must get temporary vegetation or mulch within 14 calendar days of a pause in work, and permanent vegetation within 30 days. A 25-foot buffer (50 feet along trout streams) protects state waters from land-disturbing activity, and the Director of the state Environmental Protection Division can grant limited variances.

Violations & Fines

A stormwater discharge from improperly maintained BMPs is a separate violation for each day turbidity exceeds 25 NTU (10 NTU in trout streams); the county can suspend, revoke, or modify the land disturbance permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this rule apply inside Lawrenceville or Duluth?
No. This governs unincorporated Gwinnett County only; each of the county's 16 cities, including Lawrenceville and Duluth, enforces its own separate erosion and sediment control code.
How long can disturbed soil sit before it must be stabilized?
Temporary vegetation or mulch is required within 14 calendar days of any pause in work, and permanent vegetation is required within 30 days, per UDO § 400-30.3.G.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Gwinnett County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFlood ZonesSignificant RestrictionsFlood Elevation RequirementsSome RestrictionsStormwater ManagementSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions

All Gwinnett County rules

Compare Gwinnett County to another location·View the Georgia environmental rules overview

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