Rockville, MD Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Under Article V, Chapter 19 of the Rockville City Code, an erosion and sediment control plan must be submitted and approved before any earth-moving activity that disturbs 5,000 square feet or more of land area or 100 cubic yards or more of soil. Plans must be prepared by a qualified professional and reviewed by the city's engineering staff. Key requirements include installing sediment controls before grading begins, providing positive drainage away from all building foundations, preventing standing water on lawns more than 24 hours after rainfall (48 hours in designated drainage courses), and stabilizing all cut and fill slopes. No permanent slope steeper than 3:1 is permitted in lawn maintenance areas. Surface drainage over unstabilized slopes must be controlled by dikes or mechanical devices. All sediment basins and traps must be surrounded by welded wire safety fence at least 42 inches high with posts no more than 8 feet apart and mesh openings no greater than 2 by 4 inches using minimum 14-gauge wire. The city conducts inspections during construction to verify compliance. Contact the Department of Public Works at 240-314-8567 for sediment control permits.