• When am I required to get a “grading” or erosion control permit?
• How do I submit plans to get an erosion control permit?
• What type of information do I need on erosion control plans?
• What do you mean by disturbing?
• If I’m building a house or adding an addition to my house, will I have to get an erosion control permit?
• How do I figure out what the fee is?
• Why does the Catawba County erosion control program cost more than the State’s program?
• Who do I call if I see mud in the street near a construction site?
• How do I properly install a sediment fence?
• What's in the County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance?
• What’s the difference between stormwater and erosion control issues?
• What kind of fines will I have to pay if I have an erosion control violation?
• Where does the money from fines go?
• How do I speak to an erosion control official?
• How do I resolve a situation regarding an erosion control issue?
• How do I resolve a situation regarding erosion from a non-construction or unregulated land disturbing activity?
• What's in the County Erosion Control Ordinance?

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If it is a common question, we’ll add it to our list.

WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO GET AN EROSION CONTROL PERMIT?

An erosion control permit is required when you are DISTURBING* more than one acre of soil.

*WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY DISTURBING?

Any grading, landscaping, etc. or other activity that moves the earth is considered “disturbing”. Farming, foresting or mining are the exceptions to permitting; those activities are regulated by the NC Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, but not by Catawba County.

You may use the “How much ground am I disturbing? form to calculate the acreage being disturbed by your project, or you may contact the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Office at 828-465-8161. They will assist you in calculating the acreage, answer any questions, and give you a brief step-by-step overview of the process.

Have we answered your questions or addressed your concerns? If not, let us know.

HOW DO I SUBMIT PLANS TO GET AN EROSION CONTROL PERMIT?

An erosion control permit and plans are required when you are DISTURBING* more than one acre of soil. What do you mean by " DISTURBING?" See answer above.

You may contact the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Office at 828-465-8161. They will answer any questions, and give you a brief step-by-step overview of the process.

Before beginning a grading project, in order to assist you, we recommend that you take the following steps:

• Calculate the acreage being disturbed by your project using the “How much ground am I disturbing? form.
• When you have your plans ready to submit (click here for a helpful plan checklist), you will need to complete a State required Financial Responsibility/Ownership Form.
• After completing the Financial Responsibility form, take five (5) sets of plans and one (1) set of calculations to either the Newton or Hickory Permit Centers.
• A $200 plan review fee, which includes the first acre disturbed, will be collected when you drop off your plans, as listed on the fee schedule.
• In addition to the $200 fee, a $150 per acre of disturbed area or any part thereof will be collected when you drop off your plans, as listed on the fee schedule.
• You may contact the Permit Center at 828-465-8399, informing them of the number of acres being disturbed and they will be glad to calculate the fee for you.
• If you need help in calculating what your fee will be, click here.
• You may pay your plan review fee using cash, check, debit card, Visa or MasterCard, or pre-established County Charge Account.
• When your plans are dropped off at the Permit Center, you will be given your plan case number and a receipt for payment, and instructions on how you may use our online permit center to monitor the progress of your plans. We will be glad to show you how to use this system if you need help. We hope you find the system easy to use and a good source on information.

After you get the necessary plan review approval, you will be ready to get your erosion control permit. You will be contacted by phone and/or mail that your plans are ready for permitting by the erosion control plan review officer or other staff. The Financially Responsible Party will be contacted in writing if listed differently from the Owner on the State required form.

What's in the County Erosion Control Ordinance?

Click Here to Read the Chapter 31 Ordinance.

Erosion Control Permitting

• Permits are issued at the Newton or Hickory Permit Centers.
• When your project is ready for permitting, an erosion control permit application will need to be filled out and signed.
• No additional fee is charged for the permit.

The Permit Center Staff will be happy to answer any questions you have about the permitting process, or you may call the Permit Center at 828-465-8399.

Have we answered your questions or addressed your concerns? If not, let us know.