Georgia Erosion Control Plan Requirements: When You Need an ES&PC Plan (2026 Guide)

If you are clearing, grading or building on land in Georgia, there is a good chance your permit office will ask for an Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Control Plan (ES&PC plan) before you can start. This guide explains when a plan is required, who is allowed to prepare it, and how to avoid the delays that stall many projects.

What is an ES&PC plan?

An ES&PC plan is an engineered drawing set that shows how sediment and stormwater pollution will be controlled on a construction site from the first day of clearing until the site is permanently stabilized. It shows best management practices (BMPs) such as construction exits, silt fence, check dams, inlet protection, sediment basins and temporary and permanent vegetation, organized by construction phase.

Georgia plans are designed to the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia (often called the Green Book) and reviewed against the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) plan review checklist.

When is an erosion control plan required in Georgia?

Under the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act and local ordinances, you will typically need a plan when:

• Your project disturbs one acre or more of land. This also triggers NPDES construction stormwater permit coverage from Georgia EPD.
• Your lot is part of a larger common plan of development, such as a subdivision, even if the lot itself is under one acre.
• You are disturbing land within 200 feet of state waters, or need to work inside the 25-foot stream buffer (50 feet for trout streams).
• Your city or county requires it for a Land Disturbance Permit (LDP) or building permit. Many Local Issuing Authorities set stricter thresholds than the state.

Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so always confirm with your local permit office or call us and we will check for you.

Who can prepare an ES&PC plan?

Georgia requires erosion control plans to be prepared by a design professional with GSWCC Level II certification. To earn it, a licensed professional (such as a professional engineer) must complete the Commission's Introduction to Design seminar and pass the Level II certification exam.

Our engineer is both a Georgia-licensed PE (#PE049154) and a GSWCC Level II Certified Design Professional, so your plan is designed and sealed by the same qualified person, alongside your site plan, grading and drainage design.

ES&PC plan vs. NPDES permit vs. LDP

These three items are often confused:

| Item | What it is | Who issues it | |---|---|---| | ES&PC plan | The engineered BMP drawings for your site | Prepared by a Level II certified design professional | | NPDES construction permit | Stormwater coverage under GAR100001 (stand-alone), GAR100002 (infrastructure) or GAR100003 (common development), obtained by filing a Notice of Intent | Georgia EPD | | Land Disturbance Permit | Local approval to begin clearing and grading | Your city or county (Local Issuing Authority) or EPD |

Most projects that disturb an acre or more need all three.

What does a good plan include?

• Initial, intermediate and final phase BMP layouts
• Construction exit, perimeter controls and inlet protection
• Sediment storage calculations (Georgia requires storage of 67 cubic yards per acre drained)
• State waters, buffers and wetlands shown on the plan
• Temporary and permanent stabilization schedules
• Inspection and, where required, water sampling requirements
• The certified design professional's information and seal

Common reasons plans get rejected

1. Missing items from the GSWCC checklist
2. Sediment storage that is undersized for the drainage area
3. Buffers or state waters not shown correctly
4. BMPs not phased with the construction sequence
5. Plan not prepared by a Level II certified design professional

How much does an erosion control plan cost?

Cost depends on the disturbed acreage, whether a sediment basin is needed, phasing and the permit type. A single residential lot costs far less than a multi-phase commercial or subdivision plan. Call (833) 205-7710 for a free quote, usually the same business day.

Get your plan from a Level II certified Georgia PE

We prepare ES&PC plans, site plans, grading and drainage design for projects across Georgia, and we help with reviewer comments and stop-work orders. Learn more about our erosion and sediment control plan services or call (833) 205-7710.