Pittsburgh, PA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Regulated earth-disturbance activities citywide
- SWM Site Plan trigger
- 10,000 sf disturbance or 5,000 sf impervious
- E&S plan also filed with
- Allegheny County Conservation District
- Penalty
- Summary offense, daily fine per violation
- Design standard
- PA DEP Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Manual
Summary
Pittsburgh requires erosion and sediment control BMPs on every earth-disturbance activity under its Stormwater Management Title, following state Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual design standards throughout construction.
For all regulated earth disturbance activities, erosion and sediment control BMPs shall be designed, implemented, operated, and maintained during the regulated earth disturbance activities (e.g., during construction) to meet the purposes and requirements of this Title and to meet all requirements under PA Code Title 25 and the Clean Streams Law. Various BMPs and their design standards are listed in the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual (E&S Manual4), No. 363-2134-008, as amended and updated.
f. Impervious areas from a project site:
1. The measurement of impervious areas shall include all of the impervious areas in the project site even if development is to take place in stages.
2. For development taking place in stages, the entire development plan must be used in determining conformance with this Title.
3. For projects that add impervious areas to a site, the total impervious areas is subject to the requirements of this Title and of Title 9, the Zoning Code. The total impervious areas calculation shall include the sum of the remaining pre-development impervious areas plus any newly created post-development impervious areas, if applicable.
g.
Full Breakdown
Under Pittsburgh Code Section 1303.01(e), every regulated earth-disturbance activity must have erosion and sediment control BMPs designed, implemented, operated, and maintained throughout construction, meeting PA Code Title 25 and the Clean Streams Law, with design standards drawn from DEP's Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual. Projects disturbing 10,000+ square feet, or adding 5,000+ square feet of impervious area, must also submit a soil erosion and sediment control plan to the Allegheny County Conservation District as part of the required Stormwater Management Site Plan, reviewed by the Department of City Planning, Permits Licenses and Inspections, and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Stormwater Management Title is a summary offense with a fine under the City's fee and penalty schedule; each day of continued violation counts as a separate offense, and the City may also seek an injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pittsburgh require an erosion control plan for construction?
What happens if I skip erosion controls on a Pittsburgh job site?
Who reviews Pittsburgh's stormwater and erosion control plans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle erosion control.