St. Lucie County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Division 2 of Article VI, sections 20-180 through 20-183, sets the county's construction-site erosion rules, adopted on findings that disturbed soil is highly vulnerable to erosion by wind and water and that eroded soil endangers aquatic flora and fauna and clogs drainage systems. Section 20-181 bars anyone from starting construction activity until the county engineer approves an erosion and sediment control plan, which must address applicable best management practices and keep a certified contractor on site whenever land-disturbing work occurs. Section 20-182 sets the technical standards: clearing cannot begin until sediment control devices are installed and stabilized; graded slopes and fills are capped at 4:1 or less, the angle vegetative cover or an approved erosion-control device can retain; slopes left exposed must be planted or otherwise stabilized within ten working days of completing any grading phase; cleared land sitting idle for more than 30 days needs ground cover within ten working days; and temporary seeding, sodding, or chemical stabilization is required on exposed soil, including stockpiles, whenever delays of more than seven days are expected.

Any project, or phase of a larger development, disturbing one acre or more must also keep a state Department of Environmental Protection stormwater permit on site for inspection. Waste generated on site, including concrete washout, chemicals, and building debris, must be stored or controlled to keep it out of the water. Section 20-183 exempts emergency work, MS4 maintenance and repair, permitted mining, and existing nursery or agricultural operations conducted as a permitted use, provided none of them cause erosion or degradation beyond the property line.