Major Land Disturbance Permit Processing Center

   The following information should be helpful if you intend to grade or clear and grub in unincorporated St. Louis County. St Louis County enacted a new section to the Public Works and Building Regulations, known as The Land Disturbance Code (LDC), which brings the County in compliance with the US EPA Phase II Storm Water Regulations. St. Louis County Ordinance 21,578 codifies these new regulations dealing with land disturbance activities; inspections; collection and release of escrows; collection of fees; penalties and violations; and became effective on January 11, 2004.

   The Land Disturbance Code expands the regulations currently found within the zoning, subdivision, and grading ordinances relative to land disturbance activities. This Code applies to only Unincorporated County and those municipalities that may eventually contract with the County in the future for land disturbance code enforcement.

   Land disturbance permits are issued via two distinct procedures, one for Ordinary Land Disturbance, less than one acre; and one for Major Land Disturbance, greater than one acre.

   Ordinary Land Disturbance (OLD) Permits (land disturbance activity of less than one acre but more than 2,000 square feet) are submitted to the St. Louis County Department of Public Works for review and approval. The St. Louis County Department of Highways & Traffic also reviews commercial projects. In most instances OLD's will be integrated with the building permit review and inspection processes.

   Major Land Disturbance (MLD) Permits (land disturbance activities involving one acre or more land) are submitted to the Department of Planning.

The Major Land Disturbance Permit/Approval Process begins by submitting the following items to the Department of Planning;

• A Major Land Disturbance Permit Application, available at the Department of Planning
• Six (6) copies of a Sketch Plan, Site Plan, Site Development Plan, or Preliminary Plat
• Four Copies of SWPPP(Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan). SWPPP are construction drawings done by a licensed engineer that show the proposed grading changes and storm water prevention devices proposed on the site.
• Special inspector approval application form.

   The Department of Planning's role in the process is to receive the application, distribute the information to the Department's of Highway and Traffic and Public Works, and coordinate review of the site plan/plat. Also, prior to final approval of the MLD Permit, the Department of Planning will review and approve the land disturbance escrow either in the form of cash or Letter of Credit. The escrow will stay in place on residential and commercial developments until work is completed and permanent ground cover established.

   The Department of Highways and Traffic reviews and approves the SWPPP and ultimately issues the MLD permit.

   The Department of Public Works certifies permit holder's special inspectors, reviews inspection reports, and makes on site inspections and escrow release inspections as necessary.