Skokie, IL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Section 42-102 requires an Excavation and Grading permit before any excavation, grading, or other work that disturbs ground cover or topsoil and alters existing land grade, drainage pattern, or increases impervious surface. Applicants must first submit an engineering site plan to the Village Manager or designee for approval; no permit issues without that approval, though the Manager may waive the requirement upon finding the alteration will not adversely affect drainage or increase erosion. A permit is granted only on a determination that the work will not unreasonably divert or detain surface water on neighboring property, unreasonably alter drainage patterns, unreasonably increase or concentrate stormwater runoff onto abutting property, or redistribute contaminated subsurface soil.

Where material is stockpiled on site, subsection (4) requires that soil, dirt or debris from excavation be completely removed and legally disposed of off-site, allows temporary stockpiling for up to a year (or as a geotechnical report determines), and specifically requires temporary erosion control measures to be implemented and maintained for the duration of the stockpile to minimize wind and runoff erosion. The companion engineering site plan requirements in Sec. 42-103 reinforce this: plans must include sufficient soil erosion control notes and details to ensure no adverse impacts to the subject and adjacent properties, along with proposed runoff control measures during construction until final grading is implemented.

This article sits in Chapter 42, Article IV, Site Grading, Drainage and Soil Erosion Control, adopted under the State's Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act reference, 70 ILCS 405/1 et seq.