Wauwatosa, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

030, adopted under Wis. 234, regulates construction-site erosion and sediment discharge citywide. The permit requirement is triggered by any land-disturbing activity of 4,000 square feet or more, subdivision or certified-survey-map development, excavation or filling of 400 cubic yards or more, utility trenching runs of 300 feet or more, or any disturbance on slopes of 12 percent or more. Small transportation-facility maintenance, agricultural and silviculture activity, and routine maintenance on sites under five acres are exempt, but the Development Department can still reach any site whose runoff threatens drainage capacity or public safety.

Applicants must file an erosion control plan and pay the fee set in the city's consolidated fee schedule before work begins; plans covering an acre or more must include a site map, construction sequencing, soil data and calculations proving compliance with the sediment standard. The core performance standard caps sediment discharge at 5 tons per acre per year, or the maximum extent practicable if that figure cannot be met, and requires tracking controls, dewatering treatment, storm-inlet protection, and stabilization of disturbed ground left inactive seven days or more.

Sites of ten or more disturbed acres need a constructed sediment basin; smaller sites use filter fences or equivalent barriers. The Engineering Services Division reviews plans and the Building and Safety Division issues permits and enforces the section, with authority to post stop-work orders, revoke permits, and seek a court cease-and-desist order. Appeals of Engineering Services or Building and Safety decisions go to the Board of Public Works within fifteen days. The section was adopted by Ord. O-16-15, pt. I, on 5/3/2016 and amended by Ord. O-16-39, pts. I and II, on 12/6/2016.