Builders outside a subdivision shall obtain a permit if disturbance is greater than 1 acre. Lots less than 1 acre are required to install a stone construction entrance and install silt fence as needed to prevent sediment loss to stream buffers, adjacent lots or roads.
Plan and Permit Requirements: All lots that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale (see definition below) must submit an erosion and sedimentation control plan, pay associated fees, and obtain a land disturbance permit. See fee schedule here.
Common Plan of Development or Sale:
A contiguous area where multiple separate and distinct construction activities may be taking place at different times on different schedules under one common plan. The "common plan" of development or sale is broadly defined as any announcement or piece of documentation (including a sign, public notice or hearing, sales pitch, advertisement, drawing, permit application, zoning request, computer design, etc.) or physical demarcation (including boundary signs, lot stakes, surveyor markings, etc.) indicating construction activities may occur on a specific plot.
What's the process to obtain a Land Disturbance permit for a residential lot?
In order to submit, you will need to have an account and upload documents to the С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Permit Portal. For directions on submitting an erosion and sediment control plan for residential lot(s) through the permit portal, click .
Please note that you can submit for an individual lot or multiple lots under one submittal.
What documents do I need to upload to the Portal?
The following documents should be uploaded to the permit portal for review:
- , which must be filled out in its entirety with no blanks. For line items that do not apply, please put N/A.
- ; the stream index number can be found on the
- Site location to scale on both and hardbound copy of NRCS Soil Survey
- If water feature observed within lot boundary, provide 50 ft undisturbed buffer to water feature or NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources Stream/Buffer Determination Letter
- Plot Plan (if ready)
- Erosion and Sediment Control (E&SC) Plan and Erosion Control Details ( or Custom Plan) - meeting the requirements as shown in the checklist from the current NCG01. Provide supporting calculations for design of swales, basins, etc.
- Provide NCG01 Detail Sheets ( and ) or Standard details for structural BMPS to be installed to manage the anticipated materials listed in Part II, Section F such as construction debris management, concrete washout, paint washout, petroleum product storage and pesticide/herbicide handling, along with spill prevention practices.
- С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Erosion Control Checklist, required if submitting Custom Plan.
Where can I find the hardbound NRCS Soil Survey?
С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Soil Survey
Individual soil survey map sheets from the 1970 С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Soil Survey are available in the Map Room. A limited number of soil survey books are also available upon request from the С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Soil and Water Conservation District.
A digital copy of the 1970 С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Soil Survey is available to be viewed and downloaded . In order to view the individual soil survey map sheets, click on the blue hyperlink titled "Index to map sheets" at the bottom of the left hand bookmarks in the PDF. Then, click on the numbered box around the specific area you are interested in on the map to see the individual soil survey sheet. Delineate the boundaries of the lot limits of disturbance on the soil survey sheet and upload to the Permit Portal.
Where can I get documents to facilitate plan submittal?
The documents in the table below are to facilitate providing a "complete plan" submittal the first time. The С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Standard E&SC Plan can be used as a template for custom plan submittals.
| Document | |
| Application | |
| Erosion & Sediment Control Checklist | |
| Construction Entrance | |
| Financial Responsibility/Ownership Form | |
| Lot E&SC Detail | |
| NCG01 Handout | |
| Silt Fence Detail | |
| Silt Fence Outlet Detail | |
| С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Standard Lot E&SC Plan | |
| Certificate of Compliance |
What are the next steps?
Check back in the portal as you will be invoiced the Plan Review and Grading Permit Fees based on the disturbed acreage submitted. Once at least the plan review fee has been paid, the processing of your plan will begin. The plan review process is 30 days, depending on work load we may process your plan earlier. At the end of the 30 day cycle, your plan will be: disapproved, approved, or approved with modification.
Once your plan is approved, you need to gain coverage under the NCG01 - NC NPDES Construction Stormwater Program. To do this, remember to file your eNOI (electronic Notice of Intent) with NCDEQ through their . A successful submittal of your eNOI will result in receiving a Certificate of Coverage for the NCG01.
Upon receiving a Certificate of Coverage, Grading permit fees paid, and modifications of plan approval resolved (if any), the С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County pre-construction meeting may be scheduled with the Environmental Consultant. At the end of this meeting, a grading permit will be issued.
After receiving all of your other necessary permits, construction may begin. Install the erosion and sediment control measures as shown on your approved erosion and sediment control plan. Take a few pictures, complete the , and upload these documents to the project folder on the Portal. Notify your inspector when this is complete so that he/she may update the Portal on your behalf. Remember to perform your self-inspections/monitoring of your site on the most recent .
Once you have completed the home and permanent vegetation sufficient to restrain erosion (80% cover, with no large bare areas) then contact your С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County inspector to closeout your lot and/or permit. If successful, С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County will issue a Certificate of Completion which you will need to rescind your Coverage under the NCG01 permit by filing an eNOT (electronic Notice of Termination) through NCDEQ . Once you receive both documents, С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Certificate of Completion and email from state ending coverage, you may cease all self-inspections and monitoring for the project.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please click here for contact information of the Watershed Management staff.