Roanoke, VA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Adopted under Va. Code § 62.1-44.15:54, Chapter 11.7 establishes the city's Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program and incorporates the state's regulations and the Virginia Erosion & Sediment Control Handbook, third edition (§ 11.7-3). Section 11.7-6(a) bars anyone from engaging in land-disturbing activity until the program administrator, in the department of planning, building and development, approves a plan; the scale of what's required depends on the size of the disturbed area under § 11.7-6(b). A single-family home disturbing less than 10,000 square feet needs only a simple agreement in lieu of a plan supplied by the department, executed automatically when the building and zoning permit issues. A disturbance of 2,500 square feet or more but under 10,000 square feet needs a full site plan demonstrating compliance with 9VAC25-840-40 Minimum Standards 1 through 18, prepared by a certified responsible land disturber, landscape architect or professional engineer. A disturbance of 10,000 square feet or more needs a site plan and narrative meeting Minimum Standards 1 through 19, prepared by a certified landscape architect or professional engineer.

The administrator must act on a plan within 45 days or it is deemed approved, and must approve or reject a resubmitted plan within 12 business days (§ 11.7-6(c)). Projects estimated at $5,000 or more in erosion control measures must post a cash escrow, letter of credit or bond before a permit issues, capped at the measure cost plus up to 10 percent for administrative costs, refundable within 60 days of adequate stabilization (§ 11.7-7). The program administrator or a certified inspector periodically inspects active sites under § 11.7-8, and can issue a stop-work order, effective immediately where noncompliance is causing or imminently threatens harmful erosion or sediment deposition, appealable to the Roanoke City Circuit Court.