Sec. 32-153. Contents, Review and Approval of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 32-153 (2026)
Sec. 32-153. Contents, Review and Approval of the Erosion and Sediment Control PlanLinkCopy Citation
(a)
No grading permit shall be issued for areas to be disturbed in excess of five thousand (5,000) square feet or one hundred (100) cubic yards of earth moved without an approved erosion and sediment control plan which meets the requirements of the Prince George's Soil Conservation District, this Division, the State Sediment Control Regulations, COMAR 26.17.01, and the Standards and Specifications. The plan shall include sufficient information to evaluate the environmental characteristics of the affected areas, the potential impacts of the proposed grading on water resources, and the effectiveness and acceptability of measures proposed to minimize soil erosion and off-site sedimentation. This plan shall serve as a basis for all subsequent grading and stabilization. The applicant shall certify on the plan that all clearing, grading, drainage, construction and development shall be conducted in strict accordance with the plan.
(b)
At a minimum, applicants shall submit the following information to the Prince George's Soil Conservation District:
(1)
A letter of transmittal and/or application known as a site analysis;
(2)
A vicinity sketch indicating north arrow, scale and other information necessary to easily locate the property;
(3)
Drainage area map(s) showing existing, interim, and proposed topography, proposed improvements, standard symbols for proposed sediment control features, and pertinent drainage information including provisions to protect downstream areas from erosion for a minimum of 200 feet downstream or to the next conveyance system;
(4)
The location of natural resources, wetlands, floodplains, highly erodible soils, slopes 15 percent and steeper, and any other sensitive areas;
(5)
A general description of the predominant soil types on the site, as described by the appropriate soil survey information available through the Prince George's Soil Conservation District or the USDA Natural Resources Soils Conservation Service;
(6)
Proposed stormwater management practices;
(7)
An Erosion and sediment control plan at an appropriate scale, including at least:
(A)
Name, address and telephone number of:
(i)
The owner of the property where the grading is proposed;
(ii)
The applicant; and
(iii)
The developer.
(B)
The existing topography and improvements as well as proposed topography and improvements at a scale between 1" = 10' and 1" = 50' with 2 foot contours or other approved contour interval;
(C)
Scale, project and sheet title, and north arrow on each plan sheet;
(D)
The proposed grading and earth disturbance including:
(i)
Total disturbed area;
(ii)
Volume of cut and fill quantities;
(iii)
Volume of borrow and spoil quantities;
(iv)
Specific limits of disturbance consistent to that shown on an approved Type 2 Tree Conservation Plan; and
(v)
A clear and definite delineation of all woodland conservation areas and areas to remain undisturbed consistent with the approved Type 2 Tree Conservation Plan;
(E)
Scale, project and sheet title, and north arrow on each plan sheet;
(F)
The limit of disturbance (LOD) including:
(i)
Limit of grading (grading units, if applicable); and
(ii)
Initial, interim, and final phases;
(G)
Storm drainage features, including:
(i)
Existing and proposed bridges, storm drains, culverts, outfalls, etc.;
(ii)
Velocities and quantities of peak flow rates at outfalls for the two-year and ten-year frequency storm events; and
(iii)
Site conditions around points of all surface water discharge from the site;
(H)
Erosion and sediment control practices to minimize on-site erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation including:
(i)
The salvage and reuse of top soil;
(ii)
Phased construction and implementation of grading unit(s) to minimize disturbances, both in extent and duration, not to exceed 20 acres;
(iii)
Location and type of all proposed erosion and 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:
(aa)
The "Standard Stabilization Note" on the plan stating: "Following initial soil disturbance or re-disturbance, permanent or temporary stabilization must be completed within:
(I)
Three (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
(II)
Seven (7) calendar days as to all other disturbed or graded areas on the project site not under active grading."
(bb)
Details for areas requiring accelerated stabilization; and
(cc)
Maintenance requirements as defined in the Standards and Specifications;
(8)
Design details for structural controls;
(9)
Details of temporary and permanent stabilization measures including placement of the statement on the plan that following initial soil disturbance or redisturbance, permanent or temporary stabilization shall be completed within seven (7) calendar days for the surface of all perimeter dikes, swales, ditches, perimeter slopes and all slopes greater than 3 horizontal to 1 vertical (3:1), and for all embankments of ponds, basins and traps; and fourteen (14) days for all other disturbed or graded areas on the project site provided that the requirements of this Section do not apply to those areas which are shown on the plan and are currently being used for material storage or for those areas on which actual construction activities are currently being performed or to interior areas of a surface mine site where the stabilization material would contaminate the recoverable resource;
(10)
A sequence of construction describing the relationship between the implementation and maintenance of controls, including permanent and temporary stabilization and the various stages or phases of earth disturbance and construction. Any changes or revisions to the sequence of construction must be approved by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District prior to proceeding with construction. The sequence of construction shall, at a minimum, include a schedule and time frame for the following:
(A)
Request for a pre-construction meeting with the Department;
(B)
Clearing and grubbing for those areas necessary for installation of perimeter controls;
(C)
Construction and stabilization of perimeter controls within installed perimeter controls;
(D)
Remaining clearing and grubbing;
(E)
Road grading;
(F)
Grading for the remainder of the site;
(G)
Utility installation and connections to existing structures;
(H)
Construction of buildings, roads, and other construction;
(I)
Final grading, landscaping and stabilization;
(J)
Construction of buildings, roads and other construction;
(K)
Installation of stormwater management measures;
(L)
Approval of the appropriate enforcement authority prior to removal of sediment controls; and
(M)
Removal of controls and stabilization of areas that are disturbed by removal of sediment controls.
(11)
A statement placed on the plan indicating that the owner/developer or representative shall request that the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement or its agent approve work completed in accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan, the grading or building permit, and this Division, and that the owner/developer or representative shall obtain written inspection approvals by the Director or his designee at the following stages in the development of the site, or of each subdivision thereof:
(A)
Prior to the start of earth disturbance;
(B)
Upon completion of installation of tree protection devices, followed by the installation of perimeter erosion and sediment controls, prior to proceeding with any other earth disturbance or grading. Other building or grading inspection approvals may not be authorized until initial approval by the Department is made;
(C)
Upon completion of stripping, the stockpiling of top soil, the construction of temporary sediment and erosion control facilities, disposal of all waste material and preparation of the ground;
(D)
Upon completion of rough grading, but prior to placing top soil, permanent drainage or other site development improvements and ground covers;
(E)
Prior to the start of another phase of construction or opening of another grading unit;
(F)
Prior to the removal of sediment control practices; and
(G)
Upon completion of final grading, reforestation, permanent drainage, and erosion control facilities including established ground covers and planting, and all other work of the building permit;
(12)
Certification by the owner/developer or permittee that any clearing, grading, construction or development, or all of these, will be done pursuant to the approved erosion and sediment control plan. The certification must also require that responsible personnel involved in the construction project will have a Certification of Training at a State of Maryland Department of the Environment approved training program (i.e. Green Card Certification) for the control of sediment and erosion before beginning the project. The Certification of Training for Responsible Personnel requirement may be waived by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District on any project involving four (4) or fewer residential units. Additionally, the owner/developer shall allow right of entry for periodic on-site evaluation by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District, the Department, and/or MDE;
(13)
Certification by a professional engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect (only for plans with no hydraulic and hydrologic calculations), 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, if required by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District or the Administration; and
(14)
In approving the plan, the Prince George's Soil Conservation District may require any additional information or data deemed appropriate and/or may impose such conditions thereto as may be deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Division, the State Sediment Control Regulations, COMAR 26.17.01, the Standards and Specifications, or the preservation of public health and safety.
(c)
Review and Approval of Erosion and Sediment Control Plans.
(1)
A person may not grade land without an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District if the site is not exempt from these requirements.
(2)
The Prince George's Soil Conservation District shall review erosion and sediment control plans to determine compliance with this Ordinance and the Standards and Specifications prior to approval. In approving the plan, the Prince George's Soil Conservation District may impose such conditions that may be deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance, COMAR 26.17.01, the Standards and Specifications, and the preservation of public health and safety.
(3)
The review and approval process shall be in accordance with the comprehensive and integrated plan approval process described in the Standards and Specifications, Prince George's County Stormwater Ordinance, and the Act.
(4)
At a minimum, a concept plan must include the mapping of natural resources and sensitive areas including highly erodible soils and slopes greater than 15 percent as well as information required under Prince George's County Stormwater Ordinance. These areas are to remain undisturbed or an explanation must be included with either the concept or site development plan describing enhanced protection strategies for these areas during construction. Approved concept sediment control plans remain valid for three (3) years from the date of approval unless extended or renewed by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District.
(5)
A site development plan submittal must include all concept plan information and indicate how proposed erosion and sediment control practices will be integrated with proposed stormwater management practices. The latter is being done through a narrative and an overlay plan showing both ESD and erosion and sediment control practices. An initial sequence of construction and proposed project phasing to achieve the grading unit restriction should be submitted at this time. Approved site development sediment control plans remain valid for three (3) years from the date of approval unless extended or renewed by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District.
(6)
An applicant shall submit a final erosion and sediment control plan to the Prince George's Soil Conservation District for review and approval. The plan must include all of the information required by the concept and site development plans as well as any information in this Section.
(7)
A final erosion and sediment control plan shall not be considered approved without the inclusion of the signature and date of signature of the Prince George's Soil Conservation District on the plan.
(8)
Final erosion and sediment control plans remain valid for two (2) years from the date of approval unless extended or renewed by the Prince George's Soil Conservation District.
(9)
Grandfathering of Approved Plans:
(A)
Any plans that receive final approval after January 9, 2013 must be in compliance with the erosion and sediment control requirements of this Ordinance and the Standards and Specifications.
(B)
A plan that receives final approval by January 9, 2013 may be reapproved under its existing conditions if grading activities have begun on the site by January 9, 2015, with the exception of stabilization requirements.
(C)
Stabilization practices on all sites must be in compliance with the erosion and sediment control requirements of this Ordinance and the Standards and Specifications by January 9, 2013, regardless of when an approved erosion and sediment control plan was approved.
(d)
The erosion and sediment control plan must be designed in concert with a site's stormwater management plan as required by the Stormwater Management Act of 2007 (Act). The Act requires an integrated review of erosion and sediment control plans and stormwater management plans via a comprehensive plan review process to ensure that environmental site design (ESD) is implemented to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) on all sites.
(e)
Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.
(1)
The Prince George's Soil Conservation District may adopt 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.
(2)
A standard erosion and sediment control plan must meet the requirements of this Ordinance and the Standards and Specifications.
(3)
MDE shall review and approve a standard plan prior to its adoption.