Wayne County, MI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- Stormwater construction approval + permit
- Covers
- Clearing, grading, excavating, paving
- First violation fine
- $1,000 municipal civil infraction
- Repeat offense fine
- $2,500 to $5,000+
- Administered by
- Wayne County Dept. of Public Services
Summary
Wayne County requires a stormwater construction approval and construction permit before any grading, clearing, or excavating that affects county roads, county drains, county property, or MS4-permitted watersheds, per the Stormwater Control Ordinance.
It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to engage in regulated construction activity except in accordance with this Ordinance and rules promulgated pursuant to this Ordinance, and pursuant to a valid stormwater construction approval and construction permit issued by the County. A stormwater construction approval shall be issued in a form and manner approved by the County and may be incorporated into a construction permit or other approval issued under or required by another ordinance, statute or regulation.
(Ord. No. 2021-526a, § 1, 8-19-21)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 95-41 of the county's Stormwater Control Ordinance (Chapter 95), it is a violation to engage in "regulated construction activity", defined to include clearing, grading, excavating, and paving, without a stormwater construction approval and construction permit from the Wayne County Department of Public Services. Section 95-31 limits this to activity affecting county road rights-of-way, county drains, county-owned property, county storm sewers, subdivision or mobile-home projects, or MS4-permitted watersheds. Section 95-32 exempts activity already covered by a local municipality's equal-or-stricter stormwater program, so most grading inside Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, and the county's other 40-plus cities and townships is handled locally, not by the county.
Violations & Fines
Violating the ordinance or a permit condition is a $1,000 municipal civil infraction per infraction; repeat violations within 12 months carry minimum fines of $2,500, then $5,000, plus possible misdemeanor prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wayne County's stormwater ordinance cover grading inside Detroit or Dearborn?
What triggers the county permit requirement?
How much does violating the ordinance cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wayne County
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