Prescott Valley, AZ Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

The Town of Prescott Valley amends Appendix J, Grading, of the International Building Code in its entirety at Town Code § 7-02-350.J. Section J105 governs grading and drainage work, and J105.5 is the erosion control rule. The faces of cut and fill slopes must be prepared and maintained to control erosion, generally through effective planting, and that erosion protection must be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling for final approval. The only exception is for cut slopes not subject to erosion because of the erosion-resistant character of the materials, and protection can be omitted only upon approval of the building official.

Section J105.5.1 adds that where necessary, check dams, cribbing, rip-rap or other devices or methods shall be employed. Section J105.4.5 requires interceptor drains or berms along the top of all cut and fill slopes where the upslope tributary area drains toward the cut or fill. They must be graded to provide suitable drainage and designed to prevent erosion and provide durability. Under J105.4.3, erosion of ground at a discharge point is prevented by noncorrosive downdrains or other devices, and building pads need a drainage gradient of 2 percent toward approved drainage facilities unless the building official waives it.

Slope limits support the same goal. Cut surfaces under J105.1 are not steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical unless the permittee furnishes a soils engineering or engineering geology report, and fill slopes under J105.2.1 are not built on natural slopes steeper than 2:1.

A separate layer sits in the stormwater chapter. Section 12a-01-090(E) requires site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plans for all construction projects one acre or greater, and § 12a-01-090(F) directs the Town Engineer to publish general stormwater pollution guidelines that address pollution caused by soil erosion. Discharges of soil, rock, trash, garbage and other waste to the storm sewer system are prohibited by § 12a-01-070(A)(2).