Guilford County, NC Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

36 in a watershed critical area, adds a permanent runoff control structure in a critical area, or falls in Tier 1 or Tier 2 of a watershed critical area (UDO Subsec. 1). The rule reaches beyond the county line into the extraterritorial jurisdiction the county shares with Jamestown, Stokesdale, Summerfield, Whitsett, Sedalia, Pleasant Garden and Oak Ridge under interlocal agreement (Subsec. 1). Farming, forestry conducted under the state's Forest Practice Guidelines, and land-disturbing activity under 43,560 square feet are exempt (Subsec. 2-3). Anyone who does need a plan must file it with the county at least 30 days before starting work (Subsec.

e), keep a buffer along any lake or watercourse wide enough that the nearer 25 percent of the buffer confines visible siltation (Subsec. a), and grade slopes no steeper than vegetation or erosion devices can hold, planting permanent ground cover within 15 working days of completing a grading phase or 90 calendar days after finishing construction, whichever is shorter (Subsec. b, d). The Enforcement Officer can assess a civil penalty per violation, up to $5,000, with a $25,000 cap per project if the violator abates damage within 180 days and has no prior violation (UDO Subsec.

A). Willful or knowing violations are a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $5,000, or both (Subsec. F).