Louisville, KY Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)
- Permit required
- EPSC plan + site disturbance permit
- Max civil fine
- $4,000 per violation, per day
- Appeal body
- EPSC Board hearing within 14 days
- Governing chapter
- Metro Code Ch. 159
Summary
Louisville Metro requires a Metropolitan Sewer District site disturbance permit before any clearing, grading, or land-disturbing construction begins, under the Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Ordinance.
No land disturbing activity subject to the provisions of this chapter shall take place except in accordance with either: (a) An approved EPSC plan and a duly-issued site disturbance permit; or (b) An authorized general permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 159 of the Metro Code, no land disturbing activity, clearing, grading, excavating, or filling, may proceed without either an MSD-approved EPSC plan and site disturbance permit or an authorized general permit. MSD reviews and issues the permits, negotiates general permits with DPDS, and performs inspections; a Type I review applies when the work is tied to subdivisions, development plans, conditional uses, or rezonings going before the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, or Metro Council. MSD can revoke a permit for chapter violations, false representation, or nuisance conditions, halting work until it is reissued.
Violations & Fines
Grading without a permit or violating an approved plan draws an MSD stop-work order and notice of violation, plus a civil fine of up to $4,000 per violation, with each day of continued violation counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Louisville Metro land-disturbing project need a grading permit?
Who enforces Louisville's grading and drainage rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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