Harrisburg, PA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 9-905 of the Harrisburg Codified Ordinances, part of the stormwater management Part 9, sets the construction-phase rules. Section 9-905.1(A) requires the applicant to meet the requirements of 25 Pa. Code, Chapters 92 and 102, as required, including five steps: implementation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control BMPs, development of written plans, submission of plans for approval, obtaining erosion and sediment control and NPDES permits, and maintaining plans and permits on site.

Subsection (B) puts the paperwork duty on the applicant: evidence of any necessary plan or permit approval for earth disturbance activities from PADEP or the Dauphin County Conservation District must be provided to the City of Harrisburg. Subsection (C) requires a copy of the approved erosion and sediment control plan and any other required permit to be available at the project site at all times if required under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.

Temporary roadways, such as for utility construction or timber harvesting, must meet the erosion and sedimentation and stream crossing standards of 25 Pa. Code, Chapters 102 and 105, and the plan goes to the Dauphin County Conservation District for approval. It must address roadway design including haul roads and staging areas, runoff control structures, stream crossings, access to public roadways including a rock construction entrance for mud and debris control, and a remediation plan. Where infiltration BMPs are proposed, § 9-905.1(E) requires them to be protected from sedimentation, compaction and sediment-laden runoff during construction, with the protection identified, for example orange construction fence around the perimeter. Section 9-905.2 requires all regulated activities within the Paxton Creek watershed to conform to current TMDL requirements.

The zoning code adds its own layer. Section 7-331.10(A) conditions each City permit on full compliance with state erosion and sedimentation regulations, lets the Zoning Officer require an erosion and sedimentation control plan reviewed by the Dauphin County Conservation District wherever soil will be disturbed, and makes failure to comply cause for suspension of City permits. Under § 7-331.10(C), fill placed on a site must be leveled off and properly sloped within three months, except soil stockpile areas shown on an approved plan. Under § 7-331.5, building a new principal building or parking lot on natural slope over 25% across more than 1,000 square feet requires Zoning Officer and City Engineer review and a detailed soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.