Erosion and Sedimentation Control (ESC) Regulations
Temporary Structural Practices (Erosion Controls)
Erosion controls are required to control the runoff from a 2-year 24-hr rainfall event (currently 4.14 inches in City of Austin Zone 1 based on Atlas 14). The City of Austin Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM) and Standard Specification Manual (SSM) describe most of these controls. Below are the standards and specifications for some of the most commonly used erosion and sedimentation controls at infill construction sites.
Silt Fences
ECM 1.4.5.G - Silt Fence
SSM 642S-1 (Silt Fence) Standard
SSM 642S (Silt Fence) Standard Specifications
Mulch Socks
ECM 1.4.5.F - Mulch Socks
SSM 642S-1 (Mulch Sock) Standard
SSM 642S (Mulch Sock) Standard Specifications
Triangular Sediment Filter Dikes
ECM 1.4.5.H - Triangular Sediment Filter Dike
SSM 628S (Triangular Sediment Filter Dike) Standard
SSM 628S (Sediment Containment Dikes) Standard Specifications
Hay Bale Dike
ECM 1.4.5.I - Hay Bales
SSM 628S-1 (Hay Bale Dike) Standard
SSM 628S (Sediment Containment Dikes) Standard Specifications
Stabilized Construction Entrance
ECM 1.4.5.N - Stabilized Construction Entrance
SSM 641S-1 (Stabilized Construction Entrance) Standard
SSM 641S (Stabilized Construction Entrance) Standard Specifications
Mulching (this is NOT an allowable primary perimeter control according to the standard)
ECM 1.4.5.A - Mulching
SSM 642S-1 (Mulching) Standard
Erosion Control/Soil Retention Blankets
CoA SSM 605S (Soil Retention Blanket) Standard Specifications (in the ECM as a Vegetative Practice, not a Temporary Structural Practice)
Specification from City of Portland, Oregon (government)
Straw Wattles (this in NOT an acceptable control according to the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department)
Specification from City of Portland, Oregon (government)
Installation Guide from La Crosse County, Wisconsin (government)
Installation Guide from North American Green (manufacturer)
Applicable City Code
- City of Austin Code § 6-5-51 [Discharges into Storm Sewers or Watercourses - Discharge Restrictions] (<1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin Code § 6-5-53 [Discharges into Storm Sewers or Watercourses - Discharges from Construction Sites] (<1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin Code § 25-8-181 [Erosion and Sedimentation Controls] (<1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin Code § 25-8-184 [Additional Erosion and Sedimentation Control in the Barton Springs Zone] (<1 MB PDF)
- Map of the Barton Springs Zone within the Zilker Neighborhood Association Boundaries (PDF)
- City of Austin Environmental Criteria Manual - Erosion and Sedimentation Controls [current version] (1.4 MB PDF)
- City of Austin Environmental Criteria Manual - Erosion and Sedimentation Controls [proposed rule change] (12.4 MB PDF) currently on hold
TPDES MS4 Stormwater Permit and General Stormwater Permit for Construction Activity
The City is not complying with its TPDES MS4 permit when it allows builders to continually violate the ESC ordinances.
- City of Austin MS4 Permit 2018-2023 [TPDES No. WQ0004705000; NPDES No. TXS000401] (13.7 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Permit 2011-2018 [TPDES No. WQ0004705000; NPDES No. TXS000401] (1.1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Storm Water Management Program from FY 17-18 Annual Report (1.1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Storm Water Management Program FY 11-16 (<1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Annual Report FY 17-18 (3.0 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Annual Report FY 16-17 (3.1 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Annual Report FY 15-16 (2.3 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Annual Report FY 14-15 (30.0 MB PDF)
- City of Austin MS4 Annual Report FY 13-14 (2.3 MB PDF)
- TPDES General Permit for Construction Sites > 1 acre That Discharge Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity (<1 MB PDF)
Go to the Watershed Protection page