Springfield, MO Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 1 acre or more disturbed
- Issued by
- Dept. of Environmental Services
- Max penalty
- $1,000 per day
- Covers
- clearing, grading, excavating, filling
Summary
Springfield, Missouri requires a land disturbance permit for any grading, clearing, or excavation disturbing one acre or more, obtained before work begins.
A land disturbance permit is required for all land disturbance activity that disturbs one acre or greater, or that disturbs less than one acre when part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will disturb a cumulative total of one or more acres over the life of the project. Nothing shall prevent the department from taking action, including the requirement for issuance of any permits under this article, if any of the operations exempted under section 96-45 should cause pollution of the MS4 or waters of the state or otherwise violate this article. The responsible party shall obtain a land disturbance permit from the department prior to commencing land disturbance activity. Demolition that involves land disturbance is considered the first phase of construction for sites disturbing one acre or greater, and the land disturbance permit shall be issued prior to issuance of associated demolition permits, unless an exception is granted by the director.
(G.O. No. 6445, § 1, 4-9-2018; G.O. No. 6671, § 1, 7-26-2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 96-44 requires a land disturbance permit for all land disturbance activity, defined at § 96-41 to include clearing, grubbing, grading, excavating, and filling, that disturbs one acre or greater, or less than an acre when part of a larger common plan that will total an acre or more. The responsible party must obtain the permit from the city's department of environmental services before starting work, and for sites of an acre or more, demolition involving land disturbance counts as the first construction phase, requiring the permit before any demolition permit issues. This applies citywide in Springfield, Greene County.
Violations & Fines
Starting land disturbance without a permit violates Article III of Chapter 96, subject to stop-work orders, notices of violation, and fines up to $1,000.00 per day under § 96-52.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Springfield, Missouri require a land disturbance permit?
What happens if I disturb land without a permit in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
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