Janesville, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Section 10-170 sets performance standards for construction sites of one acre or more, requiring best management practices designed to discharge no more than five tons of sediment per acre per year, or to the maximum extent practicable, along with preserving existing vegetation and minimizing disturbance on slopes of 20 percent or more. Before any such land-disturbing activity, § 10-171(a) requires the responsible party to obtain Director approval of a site-specific erosion and sediment control plan and pay the application fee under the adopted fee schedule.

The Director has 15 business days from a complete application to approve or disapprove it, and the same 15-day clock restarts if additional information is requested; a missed deadline is deemed approval under § 10-171(c)(5). Approved permits run for one year or the length of the building permit, whichever is longer, with extensions of up to 180 days available under § 10-171(g). Permit holders must notify the Director within 48 hours of starting work, inspect BMPs within 24 hours after any rain of 0.5 inches or more and at least weekly, and keep an inspection log under § 10-171(e).

The plan itself, detailed in § 10-172, must include a site map, soil descriptions, construction sequencing and specific stabilization and structural control measures. The Director may enter land without a permit under Wis. Stats. § 66.0119 to inspect for violations, § 10-174.