Jacksonville Beach, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

The construction-site rule sits in the stormwater utility article of the utilities chapter, in Sec. 32-106(c)(2). It has two parts. The first binds the property owner: no owner shall allow, through purpose or neglect, uncontrolled earthen exposure to deposit soil and related debris into any stormwater system. Neglect counts, so an owner who leaves a graded lot bare and unprotected is covered even without intent. The second part binds construction firms and contractors, who must follow all FDEP and SJRWMD procedures and regulations as they pertain to construction site runoff control. The city does not write its own sediment standard in this section. It adopts the state and water management district procedures.

The purpose clause in Sec. 32-106(a) explains the target: reducing contaminants and pollutants reaching the stormwater system and its receiving waters, the Atlantic Ocean and the intra-coastal estuarial system. Under subsection (d), certain permitted discharges such as dechlorinated pool water and street cleaner water can enter the system only when the receiving system is suitably protected, and the protection named includes silt screens, hay bales and other approved erosion control methods.

Enforcement runs under Sec. 32-106(e). An authorized city representative, with or without notice and upon proper identification, can enter and inspect properties, sites and facilities, and can photograph or video tape infrastructure and activities. On a violation, the city gives verbal or written notice, and the owner must correct it within a time interval the city sets based on the degree of hazard caused. Penalties are the fines tied to non-compliance under Sec. 1-11.

The Land Development Code adds a construction-phase definition in Sec. 34-771. It describes erosion and sediment control measures as techniques and best practices implemented during construction of land improvements to prevent or minimize erosion and the transport of sediment into stormwater systems and surface waters, with silt fences, hay bales, sediment basins and floating turbidity curtains as examples. That section also requires erosion protection at the outlet of drainage structures, with an energy dissipation device where outlet velocities exceed three (3) feet per second.