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Article 10 Erosion and Sedimentation Control
10-20 Land-Disturbing Activities
Wake County Unified Development Code
10-8
10-20-2 Buffer Zone
No land-disturbing activity during periods of construction or improvement to land is permitted in
proximity to a lake or natural watercourse unless a buffer zone is provided along the margin of the
watercourse of sufficient width to confine visible siltation within the 25% of the buffer zone nearest
the land-disturbing activity.
(A) Projects On, Over or Under Water
A buffer is not required for a land-disturbing activity in connection with the construction of
facilities to be located on, over, or under a lake or natural watercourse.
(B) Buffer Measurement
Unless otherwise provided, the width of a buffer zone is measured horizontally from the
edge of the water to the nearest edge of the disturbed area, with the 25% of the strip nearer
the land-disturbing activity containing natural or artificial means of confining visible
siltation.
10-20-3 Operation in Lakes or Natural Watercourses
Land disturbing activity in connection with construction in, on, over, or under a lake of natural
watercourse must minimize the extent and duration of disruption of the stream channel. Where
relocation of a stream forms an essential part of the proposed activity, the relocation must minimize
unnecessary changes in the stream flow characteristics.
10-20-4 Fill Material
Unless a permit from the North Carolina Division of Waste Management to operate a landfill is on
file for the official site, acceptable fill material must be free of organic or other degradable materials,
masonry, concrete and brick in sizes exceeding 12 inches, and any materials which would cause the
site to be regulated as a landfill by the State of North Carolina.
10-20-5 Standards for Erosion and Sedimentation Control Devices
(A) Land Disturbances Requiring A Permit (Greater Than One Acre of
Disturbed Area)
(1)
Whenever land disturbing activities disturb more than one acre on a tract, an erosion
and sedimentation control permit is required. The person conducting the land-
disturbing activity must install erosion and sedimentation control devices and
practices that are sufficient to retain the sediment generated by the land disturbing
activity within the boundaries of the tract during the development of said tract; and
(2)
Must plant or otherwise provide a permanent ground cover sufficient to restrain
erosion after completion of construction or development within 15 working days or
21 calendar days following completion of construction or development, whichever
period is shorter, except as provided in 15A NCAC 4B .0124(e).
(B) Land Disturbances Not Requiring A Permit (One Acre or Less of
Disturbed Area)
(1)
Whenever land-disturbing activities disturb one acre or less on a tract, an erosion and
sedimentation control permit is not required. However, the person conducting the
land disturbing activity must install erosion and sedimentation control devices and
practices that are sufficient to retain the sediment generated by the land disturbing
activity within the boundaries of the tract during the development of said tract; and