Subtitle 32 – Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-1 (2026)
§ 32-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Approval.
(1)In general.
“Approval” means a documented action by the Department following a comprehensive review to determine and acknowledge that submitted materials demonstrate compliance with the requirements of a specified stage in a project’s development process.
(2)Exclusions.
“Approval” does not include an acknowledgment by the Department that material has been received for review.
(c)Drainage area.
“Drainage area” means an area, measured in a horizontal plane, that:
(1)
contributes runoff to a single point; and
(2)
is enclosed by a ridge line.
(d)Stabilization.
“Stabilization” means the protection of exposed soils from erosion by the application of seed and mulch, seed and matting, sod, other vegetative measures, or structural means.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-2 (2026)
§ 32-2 Plans required.LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided in this Division III, no person may grade land without erosion and sediment control plans approved by the Department.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-3 (2026)
§ 32-3 Review and approval of plans.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Review and comment.
(1)
The Department must comprehensively review erosion and sediment control plans for each phase of the site design to determine compliance with this Division III.
(2)
For each plan phase, coordinated comments will be provided that reflect input from all appropriate agencies, including Planning, Zoning, and Public Works.
(3)
At each phase of project design, comments from the Department and other appropriate agencies must be addressed by the applicant and approval received before subsequent submissions.
(b)Conditions.
In approving a plan, the Department may impose conditions that the Department considers necessary or appropriate to ensure:
(1)
compliance with this Division III; and
(2)
the preservation of public health and safety.
(c)Notification.
After the Department has completed its comprehensive review for each phase of site design, the Department must notify the applicant of either:
(1)
the Department’s approval of the plan;
(2)
the Department’s disapproval of the plan, together with:
(i)
the reasons for disapproval; and
(ii)
any modifications that the Department requires for approval; or
(3)
if no decision has been made:
(i)
the status of the review process; and
(ii)
the anticipated date of completion.
(d)Endorsement.
(1)
The final erosion and sediment control plan may not be considered approved without the inclusion of the Department’s dated signature on the plan.
(2)
Approved plans remain valid for 2 years from the date of approval, unless extended or renewed by the Department.
(e)“Grandfathering” of approved plans.
(1)
Any plans that receive final approval after January 9, 2013, must be in compliance with the requirements of this Division III and the Standards and Specifications.
(2)
A plan that receives final approval on or before January 9, 2013, may be reapproved under its existing conditions, except for stabilization requirements, if grading activities begin on the site on or before January 9, 2015.
(3)
Stabilization practices on all sites must be in compliance with the requirements of this Division III and the Standards and Specifications on or before January 9, 2013, regardless of when an approved erosion and sediment control plan was approved.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-4 (2026)
§ 32-4 Contents of plans.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Submission.
An applicant is responsible for submitting erosion and sediment control plans that meet the requirements of the Department, this Division III, and all other applicable provisions of the Baltimore City Code.
(b)Tenor of plans.
The plans must include sufficient information to evaluate:
(1)
the environmental characteristics of the affected areas;
(2)
the potential impacts of the proposed grading on water resources; and
(3)
the effectiveness and acceptability of measures proposed to minimize soil erosion and off-site sedimentation.
(c)Minimum information.
At a minimum, applicants must submit the following information for the concept, site development, and final erosion and sediment control phases of project design:
(1)
a letter of transmittal or application;
(2)
a vicinity map indicating north arrow, scale, site location, and other information necessary to easily locate the property;
(3)
plan submittals as specified in § 32-5 {“Concept plan”}, § 32-6 {“Site development plan”}, and § 32-7 Final ... plans”}; and
(4)
the name, address, and telephone number of:
(i)
the owner of the property where the grading is proposed;
(ii)
the developer; and
(iii)
the applicant.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-5 (2026)
§ 32-5 Concept plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The applicant must submit a concept plan that provides sufficient information for an initial assessment of the proposed project and whether erosion and sediment control can be provided according to this Division III.
(b)Minimum contents.
Plans submitted for concept approval must include:
(1)
a map, at a scale specified by the Department, showing:
(i)
the proposed limit of disturbance;
(ii)
topography;
(iii)
existing natural resources;
(iv)
wetlands;
(v)
floodplains;
(vi)
water bodies;
(vii)
highly erodible soils;
(viii)
natural drainage patterns; and
(ix)
any other sensitive areas to be protected during construction;
(2)
a general description of the predominant soil types on the site, as described by the appropriate soil survey information available through the local soil conservation district or the USDA Natural Resources Soil Conservation Service;
(3)
the anticipated location of all:
(i)
impervious areas;
(ii)
buildings;
(iii)
roadways;
(iv)
parking;
(v)
sidewalks;
(vi)
utilities; and
(vii)
other site improvements; and
(4)
any other information that the Department requires.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-6 (2026)
§ 32-6 Site development plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Unless otherwise directed by the Department, after approval of the concept plan, the applicant must submit site development plans that reflect comments received during the previous review phase.
(b)Minimum contents.
Plans submitted for site development approval must be of sufficient detail to allow site development to be reviewed and must include:
(1)
all information provided during the concept plan review phase;
(2)
drainage area maps that show, at a minimum scale of 1" = 200':
(i)
existing, interim, and proposed topography;
(ii)
proposed improvements;
(iii)
standard symbols for proposed sediment control features; and
(iv)
pertinent drainage information, including provisions to protect downstream areas from erosion for a minimum of 200 feet downstream or to the next conveyance system;
(3)
a proposed erosion and sediment control plan that contains:
(i)
the existing and proposed topography and improvements, at a scale between 1" = 10' and 1" = 50' with 2 foot contours or other approved contour interval;
(ii)
interim contours for projects with more than minor grading, if required by the Department;
(iii)
scale, project, and sheet title, and north arrow on each plan sheet;
(iv)
the limit of disturbance, including:
A.
limit of grading (grading units, if applicable); and
B.
initial, interim, and final phases;
(v)
storm drainage features, including:
A.
existing and proposed bridges, storm drains, culverts, outfalls, etc.;
B.
velocities and peak flow rates at outfalls for the 2-year and 10-year frequency storm events; and
C.
site conditions around points of all surface water discharge from the site;
(vi)
any phasing necessary to limit earth disturbances and impacts to natural resources; and
(vii)
an overlay plan that shows the types and locations of stormwater practices and erosion and sediment control practices to be used;
(4)
a narrative that indicates how proposed erosion and sediment control practices will be integrated with proposed stormwater management strategy using environmental site design in accordance with Division II of <cite data-path="|7">this article</cite>; and
(5)
any other information that the Department requires.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-7 (2026)
§ 32-7 Final erosion and sediment control and stormwater management plans.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
After site development plan approval, the applicant must submit final erosion and sediment control plans and stormwater management plans that reflect the comments received during the previous review phase.
(b)Minimum contents.
Plans submitted for final approval must be of sufficient detail to allow all approvals and permits to be issued and must include:
(1)
all information provided during the concept and site development plan review phase;
(2)
erosion and sediment control practices to minimize on-site erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation, including:
(i)
the salvage and reuse of topsoil;
(ii)
phased construction and implementation of grading unit(s) to minimize disturbances, both in extent and duration;
(iii)
location and type of all proposed sediment control practices;
(iv)
design details and data for all erosion and sediment control practices; and
(v)
specifications for temporary and permanent stabilization measures, including at a minimum:
A.
the “Standard Stabilization Note” on the plan stating:
“Following initial soil disturbance or re-disturbance, permanent or temporary stabilization must be completed within:
1.
3 calendar days as to the surface of all perimeter dikes, swales, ditches, perimeter slopes, and all slopes steeper than 3 horizontal to 1 vertical (3:1); and
2.
7 calendar days as to all other disturbed or graded areas on the project site not under active grading.”;
B.
details for areas requiring accelerated stabilization; and
C.
maintenance requirements as defined in the Standards and Specifications;
(3)
a sequence of construction that:
(i)
describes the relationship between the implementation of controls and the maintenance of controls, including permanent and temporary stabilization, and the various stages or phases of earth disturbance and construction; and
(ii)
includes the following, at a minimum:
A.
request for a pre-construction meeting with the Department;
B.
clearing and grubbing as necessary for the installation of perimeter controls;
C.
construction and stabilization of perimeter controls;
D.
remaining clearing and grubbing within installed perimeter controls;
E.
road grading;
F.
grading for the remainder of the site;
F.
utility installation and connections to existing structures;
G.
construction of buildings and roads;
H.
other construction;
I.
final grading, landscaping, and stabilization;
J.
installation of stormwater management measures;
K.
obtaining approval by the Department before removal of sediment controls; and
L.
removal of sediment controls and stabilization of areas that are disturbed by the removal;
(4)
a statement requiring the owner, developer, or representative to contact the Department or its agent at the following stages of the project or in accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan, grading permit, or building permit:
(i)
before the start of earth disturbance;
(ii)
after the installation of perimeter erosion and sediment controls is complete, but before proceeding with any other earth disturbance or grading;
(iii)
before the start of another phase of construction or the opening of another grading unit; and
(iv)
before the removal of sediment control practices;
(5)
certification by the owner or developer that:
(i)
any clearing, grading, construction, or development will be done pursuant to the approved erosion and sediment control plan; and
(ii)
the responsible personnel involved in the construction project will have, before the project begins, a Certificate of Training from an MDE approved training program for the control of erosion and sediment; and
(iii)
the City Department of Public Works, City Department of Housing and Community Development, and Maryland Department of the Environment will be allowed right of entry for periodic on-site evaluation; and
(6)
if required by the Department or the Maryland Department of the Environment, certification by a professional engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, architect, or forester (for forest harvest operations only) registered in the State that the plans have been designed in accordance with erosion and sediment control laws, regulations, and standards; and
(7)
any additional information considered appropriate by the Department.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-8 (2026)
§ 32-8 Modifications to plans.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Department may approve modifications to approved plans as necessary.
(b)Who may request.
Modifications may be requested by the owner or developer or by the Department.
(c)Minor modifications.
(1)
The Department may include in its Erosion and Sediment Control Manual a list of minor modifications that the Department may approve as field revisions.
(2)
The Maryland Department of the Environment must approve the list before its implementation.
History: Ord. 13-095
Balt., Md., Code art. 7, § 32-9 (2026)
§ 32-9 Standard erosion and sediment control plan.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Department may adopt.
The Department may include in its Erosion and Sediment Control Manual a standard erosion and sediment control plan for activities with minor earth disturbances, such as single-family residences, small commercial and other similar building sites, minor maintenance grading, and minor utility construction.
(b)Requirements.
(1)
A standard erosion and sediment control plan must meet the requirements of this Division III and the Standards and Specifications.
(2)
The Maryland Department of the Environment must approve the standard plan before its adoption.
History: Ord. 13-095