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Erosion Control Plans

SWPPP and erosion control plans to prevent sediment discharge during construction — required by the California Construction General Permit and local grading ordinances.

What Is an Erosion Control Plan?

An erosion control plan identifies the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be implemented during construction to prevent soil erosion, control sediment, and manage construction-related pollutants (concrete washout, fuel, paint, etc.) from leaving the project site. In California, these requirements are driven by the Construction General Permit (CGP) issued by the State Water Resources Control Board and enforced locally through grading ordinances.

Moment Engineering prepares erosion control plans that satisfy both the CGP requirements and the local jurisdiction's grading plan checklist. For sites disturbing one acre or more, we prepare the full Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) required for CGP coverage. For smaller sites, we prepare the erosion control sheets and notes required by the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, or applicable Orange County / LA County jurisdiction.

1 Acre

Disturbance threshold triggering CGP enrollment and SWPPP

Risk Level

CGP Risk Level (1, 2, or 3) determines monitoring and BMP requirements

WDID #

Waste Discharge ID number issued upon CGP enrollment with the Water Board

Need an Erosion Control Plan? Get a fixed-fee proposal — typically within 24 hours.

Request a Proposal ✆ (619) 374-8677

Typical Investment

$1,500 – $4,000

Varies by site area, BMP design, and whether SWPPP or ESCP format is required.

Fees vary by site conditions, scope, and jurisdiction. Request a proposal for a fixed-fee quote tailored to your project.

Scope of Work

What's Included

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Erosion Control Plan Sheets

Plan-view drawings showing BMP locations, silt fence alignments, fiber roll placement, stabilized construction entrances, concrete washout areas, and material storage locations.

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SWPPP Document

For sites over 1 acre: a full Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan per the California CGP, including site maps, BMP descriptions, inspection schedules, monitoring procedures, and responsible party information.

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BMP Selection & Design

Erosion control BMPs (hydroseeding, erosion control blankets, bonded fiber matrix), sediment control BMPs (silt fence, fiber rolls, sediment basins), and good housekeeping practices tailored to the site and season.

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Wet Season / Dry Season Phasing

Separate BMP plans for wet season (October 1 – April 30) and dry season construction, with enhanced protection during the rainy months per CGP requirements.

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CGP Enrollment (NOI Filing)

Preparation and filing of the Notice of Intent (NOI) with the State Water Board's SMARTS database to obtain CGP coverage and your project's WDID number.

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NOT Filing & Project Closeout

Upon construction completion and final stabilization, we prepare the Notice of Termination (NOT) to close out CGP coverage and your SMARTS account.

When You Need an Erosion Control Plan

Erosion control requirements apply to virtually all grading and construction projects, with the scope depending on the disturbance area and project risk level.

Any Grading Permit

Local grading ordinances in San Diego, Orange, and LA counties require erosion control notes and BMP details on the grading plan — regardless of project size.

1+ Acre Disturbance

Projects disturbing one or more acres of soil (including smaller projects that are part of a larger common plan of development) must enroll in the CGP and prepare a SWPPP.

Wet Season Grading

Grading during the wet season (October 1 – April 30) triggers enhanced BMP requirements and more frequent inspections, regardless of site size.

Near Waterways

Sites adjacent to creeks, rivers, wetlands, or the coastline face heightened scrutiny and may require additional protection measures and monitoring.

Hillside Construction

Steep slopes and erodible soils increase the risk of sediment discharge and require more robust erosion and sediment control measures.

Public Works Projects

Infrastructure projects in the public right-of-way (streets, utilities, parks) require erosion control plans and often CGP coverage regardless of area.

Our Process

From Site Plan to SWPPP Compliance

Risk Assessment

We evaluate the site disturbance area, soil type, slope, and proximity to receiving waters to determine the CGP Risk Level and corresponding BMP requirements.

BMP Design & Plan Preparation

We design the BMP layout on the grading plan and prepare the erosion control plan sheets and/or SWPPP document. Plans include wet and dry season phasing as required.

CGP Enrollment

For projects over 1 acre, we file the NOI through SMARTS, obtain the WDID number, and ensure CGP coverage is active before grading begins.

Construction Support & Closeout

We support the contractor during construction with BMP inspections and reporting as needed, and file the NOT upon project completion and final stabilization.

Want to learn more about what a erosion control plans involves?

Read: What Is a Erosion Control Plans? →

Related Services

Often Paired With Erosion Control Plans

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Grading Plans

Erosion control plans are prepared as part of the grading plan set — they're submitted and approved together.

Learn More →

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Stormwater / LID / WQMP

Erosion control handles construction-phase pollution, while LID/WQMP handles permanent post-construction stormwater treatment. Most projects need both.

Learn More →

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Hydrology Reports

Drainage analysis supports the design of temporary sediment basins and construction-phase drainage control.

Learn More →

Common Questions

Erosion Control Plans FAQs

If your project disturbs 1 acre or more of soil, yes — you're required to enroll in the California Construction General Permit and prepare a SWPPP. Projects under 1 acre still need erosion control plans per the local grading ordinance, but the full SWPPP document is not required unless the project is part of a larger common plan of development.

The CGP is a statewide permit issued by the State Water Resources Control Board that regulates stormwater discharges from construction sites. It requires a SWPPP, BMPs, inspections, and monitoring. Projects enroll by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) through the SMARTS online system.

Common BMPs include silt fence, fiber rolls (wattles), stabilized construction entrances (gravel pads), hydroseeding, erosion control blankets, sediment basins, concrete washout containment, and good housekeeping practices like covering stockpiles and street sweeping.

Yes, but with enhanced requirements. Wet season grading (October 1 – April 30) requires more robust BMPs, more frequent inspections, and in some jurisdictions a separate wet weather grading permit. The erosion control plan must address wet season conditions specifically.

The grading contractor is typically responsible for installing and maintaining BMPs in the field. The property owner (or their designated Legally Responsible Person) is ultimately accountable under the CGP. We provide the design and documentation; the contractor implements it.

Need an Erosion Control Plan?

Construction starting soon? Tell us your project size, location, and start date and we'll prepare the SWPPP or ESCP and have it ready before your first inspection.

Request a Proposal ✆ (619) 374-8677