Josephine County, OR Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

83 of the Rural Land Development Code applies its erosion and sediment control standards to any land division or land use application involving grading or filling on slopes of 15 percent or greater, or on granitic soils mapped by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, unless the activity is already regulated under the Oregon Forest Practices Act. 020(B) requires an erosion and sediment control plan whenever needed to prevent or mitigate hazards to life, property or the natural environment. Two numeric rules apply countywide regardless of slope: fill brought onto or stockpiled on a site in excess of 10 cubic yards must be managed with best management practices, such as straw bales or erosion control fabric, so runoff stays on site; and no grading or filling on a slope over 15 percent is allowed without a stormwater management plan signed by a registered professional engineer.

Earthen berms must be set back from the property line, measured from the base of the berm, at least the distance required for a structure setback, and must be stabilized with ground cover. 030 escalates larger projects, over 900 square feet disturbed on granitic soils or over 5,000 cubic yards of fill on other soils, into a full operation plan prepared by a registered civil engineer, though a signed waiver is available for granitic soils under a three percent grade. Separately, Oregon DEQ requires its own permit for any construction disturbing an acre or more that discharges to surface water.