Spotsylvania County, VA Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 8 sets the county's erosion-control threshold at 2,500 square feet: under Sec. , unless a limited list of grandfathering provisions applies. Sec. 1(B) requires a distinct Erosion and Sediment Control ('ESC') Plan to be filed for the development and every building constructed within it, regardless of how construction is phased, and the plan must contain all major conservation measures needed to treat the land to the conservation objectives set in state regulation 9VAC25-875-560. Certain narrow activities are carved out under Sec. 3(A), including minor land-disturbing activities like home gardens and individual landscaping, repair of underground utility lines confined to an existing hard-surfaced road or sidewalk, bona fide agricultural clearing and cultivation, and installation of fence, sign, telephone, or electric poles, though clearing for forestry loses the exemption unless the land is reforested or converted to agricultural use.

Where a violation occurs, Sec. 6(A) lets the Program Administrator first issue a notice to comply specifying the corrective measures and deadline, then escalate to a stop-work order under Sec. 6(A)(2) if the deadline passes, requiring all land-disturbing activity to cease until the violation ends or the required plan and permits are obtained. If a violation is grossly affecting water quality or presents imminent danger of harmful erosion, the Program Administrator may issue an emergency stop-work order without advance notice or a hearing.