Raleigh, NC Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Sec. 9.4.6. Land Disturbing Grading Permit & Control Plans Required All land disturbance grading permits shall be obtained from the City. No person shall initiate any land-disturbing activity in a -FWPOD or -SWPOD in any watercourse natural buffer yard established pursuant to Sec. 9.2.3. in open space areas or to relocate any natural watercourse or in any other area if more than 12,000 square feet is to be uncovered unless, 30 or more days prior to the anticipated date for initiating the activity, an erosion and sedimentation control plan for such activity is filed with and approved by the City; but this shall not restrict the initiation of land-disturbing activities when the plan is approved and the permit is issued in less than 30 days from initial submission. No permit authorized by this UDO shall be issued until the boundaries encompassing a work site adjacent to any -FWPOD, -SWPOD, watercourse natural resource buffer, trout water buffer, watercourse natural resource buffers in a -MPOD or in a CM District, a high-quality water zone, any tree protection limits of any -MPOD, CM and -SHOD- or any area where vegetation is required to be maintained by a conditional district or an approved site plan are clearly and accurately demarked by a protective fence in the field. The location and extent of all authorized land-disturbing activities shall be similarly demarcated for so long as any land-disturbing activity continues. The following table summarizes the plan approval process required: Size of Site / Plan required to be prepared and filed with: Less than 12,000 sq. ft. / Between 12,000 sq. ft. and 1 acre / Greater than 1 acre City of Raleigh: No / Yes / Yes Plan approval required prior to commencement of land disturbance: No / Yes / Yes