Southfield, MI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger: disturbed area
- 1 acre or more
- Trigger: near water/storm drain
- within 500 feet
- Enforcing agency
- Engineering department
- Application review time
- 30 calendar days
- Stabilization deadline
- 5 days after final grading
- Max civil fine (knowing, post-notice)
- $25,000 per day
Summary
In the City of Southfield, a soil erosion and sedimentation control permit from the engineering department is required before any earth change that disturbs one acre or more, or that sits within 500 feet of state waters or a storm drain inlet, regardless of disturbed acreage.
A landowner or designated agent who contracts for, allows, or engages in an earth change in this city shall obtain a soil erosion and sedimentation control permit in the landowner's name from the engineering department, unless exempted in section 5.510 of this chapter, before commencing an earth change which:1.Disturbs one (1) or more acres of land; or2.Is located within five hundred (500) feet of the waters of the state regardless of the amount of land disturbed; or3.Is located within five hundred (500) feet of a storm drain inlet regardless of the amount of land disturbed. ... A person who violates part 91, the rules or this chapter is responsible for a municipal civil infraction issued by an authorized local official and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
Full Breakdown
Southfield City Code Chapter 49 implements Michigan's Part 91 soil erosion program (MCL 324.9101 et seq.) locally, with the engineering department designated the municipal enforcing agency under Sec. 5.503. Sec. 5.509 sets the trigger points for a permit: disturbing one or more acres, working within 500 feet of a lake, stream or other waters of the state, or within 500 feet of a storm drain inlet, no matter how small the disturbed area. No building permit issues under Sec. 5.508 until this permit is in hand.
Applications go to the engineering department under Sec. 5.511 with a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan meeting the requirements of Sec. 5.512, including site maps, soil surveys, and schedules for temporary and permanent control measures. Sec. 5.513 requires temporary measures on or before the earth change begins, daily maintenance, and permanent stabilization within five calendar days of final grading. The soil erosion engineer must act on a complete application within 30 calendar days (Sec. 5.514). Limited exemptions exist under Sec. 5.510 for routine road and driveway maintenance, minor disturbances stabilized within 24 hours, and normal crop farming, but an exempt activity that still causes off-site sedimentation remains subject to enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 5.526 makes a violation a municipal civil infraction carrying a fine up to $2,500. Knowingly violating Part 91, the rules, or this chapter, or knowingly falsifying a permit application, raises the exposure to up to $10,000 per day. A knowing violation committed after receiving a notice of violation under Sec. 5.521 or 5.522 carries a fine of not less than $2,500 and up to $25,000 per day. Citations are filed with the 46th Judicial District Court, and courts may order restoration of the affected area in addition to any fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southfield
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Erosion Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Oakland County handle erosion control.