Vanderburgh County, IN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

030). Agricultural land disturbing activities are excepted. 050 sets eight minimum requirements: no owner may begin or continue land disturbing activity before installing required controls; controls must be maintained at all times during construction; sediment must be detained on-site; discharged water cannot cause erosion or sedimentation off-site; watercourse or drainage-easement crossings need an appropriately designed culvert; roadways and drains must be kept clear of sediment by the property owner; storm drain inlets must be protected against sedimentation; and drainage ways and swales must be protected from channel scouring and capacity loss.

020). 060 runs through a defined sequence: the authorized agent (a County Engineering Department employee or other county employee approved by the Board of Commissioners) investigates a non-compliance report, may enter the site (seeking a court order if entry is refused), and issues corrective recommendations. If non-compliance persists after a ten working-day notice and a second inspection, the Vanderburgh County Building Commissioner issues a first citation carrying a civil penalty of $100 to $250 (reduced to a flat $100 if paid within 30 days). Continued non-compliance after a third inspection brings a second citation of $500 to $750 and triggers a stop work order; unpaid penalties are pursued in Vanderburgh County Superior Court with costs and attorney's fees.

The county may also contract to complete corrective measures itself and place the cost, plus interest, on the property's tax duplicate as a special assessment.