Woodbury, MN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Sediment removal deadline
- 24 hours once device is 1/3 full
- Nonfunctional device repair
- Within 24 hours of discovery
- Sediment basin maintenance
- Within 72 hours at half capacity
- Inspection frequency
- Weekly, plus after 0.5-inch rain events
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 7, Land Disturbance Ordinance
Summary
Every site under active land disturbance in Woodbury must install and maintain erosion and sediment controls under City Code Sec. 7-14, with a 24-hour deadline to clear sediment buildup or fix nonfunctional devices, and weekly plus post-rainfall inspections required under Sec. 7-15.
(b)Erosion and sediment control. Temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed on all sites as necessary to prevent erosion and sedimentation from impacting any adjacent property, rights-of-way, drainage system, lake, pond, wetland, watercourse, natural resource or other protected area....At minimum, storm water pollution prevention plan items shall be maintained as follows:(1)If a perimeter erosion control device is found to have sediment accumulation in excess of one third of the total device height, the sediment shall be removed within 24 hours of discovery.(2)If an erosion control device is found to be nonfunctional, it shall be repaired or replaced within 24 hours of discovery.(3)Temporary sediment basins shall be maintained when sediment reaches one half the outlet height or one half the storage volume within 72 hours after discovery.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 48).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-14 requires temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures on all sites with land disturbing activity, sized to prevent erosion or sedimentation from reaching adjacent property, rights-of-way, drainage systems, lakes, ponds, wetlands or other protected areas. Controls must be operational before any land disturbing work starts, following the site's storm water pollution prevention plan. Maintenance deadlines are specific: if a perimeter control device such as a silt fence accumulates sediment beyond one-third of its height, the sediment must be removed within 24 hours of discovery; a nonfunctional device must be repaired or replaced within 24 hours; and a temporary sediment basin must be serviced once sediment reaches half the outlet height or half the storage volume, within 72 hours.
5 inches or more in 24 hours, logging the date, inspector, findings, corrective actions and rainfall amounts. The city itself may inspect any land disturbing site at any stage under Sec. 7-4 and 7-15(a) to confirm chapter 7 compliance.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install operational erosion and sediment controls before work begins, or missing the 24-hour and 72-hour maintenance deadlines in Sec. 7-14(e), is a chapter 7 violation; conviction is a misdemeanor under Sec. 7-17 with a fine or jail time set by state statute, and the city can also draw on the project's financial security under Sec. 7-8 to fund corrective work and suspend or revoke the land disturbance permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What erosion controls does Woodbury require during construction?
How often must a construction site be inspected for erosion control?
What happens if sediment builds up behind a silt fence?
Sources & Official References
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