Don't Lose Ground
Erosion and Sediment Control
Steps to Getting a Building Permit
When you apply for a building permit at the Building and Safety Department, you have two options:
Option One:
The Developer retains full responsibility for all storm water measures
If you're building in a subdivision where a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) permit number is held by the developer, you can request that number and place it on your building permit application.
If all portions of the Building Permit applicable are complete and the SWPPP number is provided to Building and Safety, there should be no delays in the building permit process.
Under this option the homebuilder or owner agrees to all terms of the developer's SWPPP which should meet all federal, state, and local requirements. Developers providing their SWPPP permit number agree to enforce any issues of non-compliance related to storm water discharge on the builders' lots. See Chapter 28.01 Regulations for Construction Site Discharges at lincoln.ne.gov keyword: mud.
Option Two:
The developer prefers that the builder have full responsibility for all storm water measures.
If you're building in a subdivision under this option, you'll need to obtain your own Construction Stormwater Permit from the City of Lincoln.
Under this option, the builder/owner assumes sole responsibility for any Stormwater violations which may be caused by the builder/owner on their lot during the building phase of construction. However, the developer has the option to notify the City of Lincoln about any issues of builder/owner non-compliance. The City of Lincoln will have enforcement action authority with the builder/owner of the lot.
Now that the permit process is completed, let's review some examples of how to prevent sediment from leaving the building site.
So what is expected of me as a builder or lot owner?
We all know that construction generates mud and sediment that can leave a construction site. The key to minimizing impacts is to implement practices on your construction site during all phases of building construction, such as:
- Limit mud track-out onto private or city streets by parking on paved streets and driveways whenever possible. Utilize a temporary gravel drive, if necessary.
- Clean up any mud that has been tracked off the construction site from construction traffic in a thorough and timely manner.
- Implement sediment controls along the lower sides of the property to protect adjacent waterways, storm drains or neighboring property from sedimentation.
- Keep a clean site; dispose of construction site waste materials and debris in a dumpster or containment device.
- Have your portable toilet staked and anchored correctly and placed away from any storm drain inlets.
- Inspect your site regularly to find any potential problems and keep your BMP's in good working condition.
For more information about Best Management Practices that you can utilize on your construction site, reference Chapter 9 (1.27 M) 
of the City of Lincoln Drainage Criteria Manual.
Sediment Control Measures
Example of a Site Plan
You are required to keep sediment out of the public right-of-way. If sediment does leave your site, please clean it up at the end of the day.
J-Hooks or 'smiles' are preferred to a linear installation
Silt Fence
COIR Log
Straw Wattle
Rock Drive
Compost Berm
Keep Your Site Clean
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Chapter 28.01 was approved by Lincoln City Council on June 25, 2007. Through a mandate by EPA and regulated through the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, the City of Lincoln as well as other municipalities in Nebraska are required, under the federal Clean Water Act and the Construction General Permit, to meet regulatory compliance.
For more assistance contact:
Public Works and Utilities, Watershed Management at 441-4957
Home Builders Association of Lincoln at 423-4225
Lower Platte South Natural Resources District at 476-2729
A publication of the City of Lincoln, Department of Public Works and Utilities.
Acrobat (PDF) Version (1.69 M) 
