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Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Permits page.

These permits are required by Dane County ordinances governing erosion control and stormwater management (Chapter 14, Dane County Code of Ordinances and Chapter 11, Dane County Code of Ordinances).

View recent regulatory or administrative changes
What type(s) of permit(s) might I need?
What kinds of activities require a permit?
Application forms
Permit fees
Where do I turn for assistance and background information?
Where do I apply for a permit?
Tools to assist in completing an application
Additional forms that may need to be submitted

Ordinance revisions and administrative changes:

Click on the latest newsletter to stay informed of any regulatory or administrative changes. If you would like to receive future newsletters by email please provide us with your email address by responding to landcon@countyofdane.com.

What type(s) of permit(s) might I need?

You may need one or more of the following types of permits, depending on the specifics of your project:

  • Erosion Control
  • Shoreland Erosion Control
  • Stormwater Management
What kinds of activities require a permit?

An Erosion Control Permit is required for ANY of the following:

  • Land disturbing activity in excess of 4,000 square feet of land
  • Land disturbing activity on a slope of greater than 12 percent
  • Land disturbing activity that involves excavation, filling, or a combination of excavation and filling, in excess of 400 cubic yards of material
  • Disturbing more than 100 lineal feet of road ditch, grass waterway, or other existing open channel
  • Creating a new public or private road or access drive longer than 125 feet
  • Recording a subdivision plat
  • Any other land disturbing activity (even if less than 4,000 square feet) that the local approval authority determines to have a high risk of soil erosion or water pollution, or that may significantly impact a lake, stream, or wetland area
  • Any land disturbing activity in the shoreland zone

The Shoreland Zone includes all lands which are within:

  • 1000 feet from the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of navigable lakes, ponds, or flowages
  • 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) or landward side of the floodplain of the navigable reaches of rivers and streams
  • 75 feet of the shoreland or inland wetland district

Note: Shoreland zone erosion control plans must be stamped by a licensed professional engineer (P.E.). Minor projects may be exempt from the P.E. stamp requirement. Check with the Dane County Land Conservation Division to see if your project qualifies for an exemption.

A Stormwater Management Permit is required for ANY of the following:

  • Any development after August 22, 2001 that results in the cumulative addition of 20,000 square feet of impervious surface to the site
  • Recording a subdivision plat
  • Recording a certified survey map intended for commercial or industrial use
  • Redeveloping more than 4,000 square feet of an existing commercial, industrial, institutional or multifamily-use site
  • Other land development activities that the local approval authority determines may significantly increase runoff, flooding, soil erosion, water pollution or property damage, or significantly impact a lake, stream, or wetland area
Application forms:

Download and print the Erosion Control Permit Application--Simplified Checklist (PDF) (rev. 12/13/11)

Download and print the Erosion Control Permit Application (PDF) (rev. 12/13/11)

Download and print the Shoreland Mitigation Permit Application (PDF) (rev. 8/13/12)

Download and print the Stormwater Management Permit Application (PDF) (rev.12/13/11)

Permit fees:

Permit Fee Schedule (effective 01-01-2009)

Where do I turn for assistance and background information?

The Dane County Erosion Control & Stormwater Management Manual provides information to help landowners, developers and consultants meet the requirements of Dane County's Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Stormwater Management Ordinance (PDF)

For additional information that may be of use in the permitting process and/or for technical assistance, link to the Land Conservation Division’s Erosion Control and Stormwater Management page.

For the history behind the passage of these ordinances and an explanation of the general importance of erosion control and stormwater management, see the Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds’ Erosion Control and Stormwater Management page.

Where do I apply for a permit?

Depending on the municipality in which your proposed project is located, you may need to apply with Dane County’s Land Conservation Division or with your local municipality. View this document for information on where to apply given your location: Where to Apply for a Permit? (PDF)

Tools to assist in completing an application: Additional forms that may need to be submitted:
Need help?

Contact the urban staff at the
Dane County Land Conservation Division:
(608) 224-3730

Attention consultants:
Submit information on your consulting firm here to be included in the county’s Erosion Control and Stormwater Consultant Registry: http://danewaters.com/business/consultant.aspx.

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