Free checklist · updated October 23, 2026

DC DOEE Soil Disturbance Requirements: The Checklist

Erosion and sediment control thresholds, stormwater management triggers, infiltration testing and how to submit, from DC's own rules, in one checklist.

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A printable copy for your project file, with the source links.

The checklist

Work through it top to bottom. Each item cites the rule or guidance it comes from; see the sources below.

Before you disturb any soil

Measure the land you'll disturb. In DC, land disturbance needs a DOEE-approved erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan unless an exemption applies, such as disturbing less than 50 square feet (21 DCMR §§ 540.1, 541.1).
Check the other ESC exemptions in 21 DCMR § 541.1, for example gardening and landscaping at one- or two-family homes, certain utility connections, and fences or poles.
If you disturb less than 5,000 square feet, the project is usually a "minor" ESC project with no stormwater review, and may qualify for DOEE's walk-through approval.
Call Miss Utility (811) at least 96 hours, and no more than 10 days, before digging, excluding weekends and holidays (D.C. Code § 34-2704).

Stormwater management plan triggers

A stormwater management plan (SWMP) is required for major regulated projects (21 DCMR § 516.1).
Major land-disturbing activity: 5,000 square feet or more of disturbance, where some pre-project cover is natural or post-project impervious cover is 2,500 square feet or more. It must retain the 1.2-inch storm (§ 520).
Major substantial improvement: work costing at least 50% of the building's market value, with a combined footprint and disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more (same cover test). It must retain the 0.8-inch storm (§ 522).
Plan to retain at least 50% of the required volume on site unless DOEE grants relief; the rest can be met off site, including with Stormwater Retention Credits (§ 527).

Soil and infiltration testing

Infiltration-based practices (permeable pavement, bioretention, infiltration, dry swales) need infiltration testing by a DC-licensed professional engineer, soil scientist or geologist (Stormwater Management Guidebook, Appendix O).
Minimum test pits or borings by practice area: 1 under 1,000 sq ft; 2 for 1,000–1,999 sq ft; 3 for 2,000–9,999 sq ft; at 10,000 sq ft or more, 3 plus 1 for each additional 5,000 sq ft.
Dig each test pit or boring at least 2 feet below the bottom of the practice and record groundwater, the seasonal high water table, soil textures and depth to bedrock.
Underground stormwater practices require a geotechnical report.
For early feasibility, check the NRCS soil survey's hydrologic soil group. Where the survey maps Urban land, the guidebook directs designers to use hydrologic soil group C (Appendix H).
Soil borings that aren't stormwater infiltration tests usually need a DOEE well construction permit. See the DC soil boring permit guide.

Submitting and starting work

File the building permit in DOB's ProjectDox and upload the ESC drawings as one PDF under Supporting Documents.
Submit the ESC and stormwater plans in DOEE's Surface and Groundwater System (SGS) with the DOB permit number, and pay the review fees.
Check whether Green Area Ratio (GAR) applies to your zone; some zones, including R and RF, are exempt.
Request DOEE's ESC pre-construction meeting at least 3 business days before disturbing land.

Planning soil borings for the site? Read the DC soil boring permit guide.

Start with the soil survey

Before you scope infiltration testing, check what USDA maps under the site: drainage class, hydrologic soil group, depth to water table and restrictive layers. The free preview shows soil type and drainage; the Standard report adds water table, bedrock, flooding and ponding.

Frequently Asked Questions

DOEE soil disturbance requirements, answered from DC's rules.

How much soil disturbance needs a DOEE permit in DC?

Land disturbance in DC needs a DOEE-approved erosion and sediment control plan unless an exemption applies. The smallest exemption is for disturbing less than 50 square feet (21 DCMR § 541.1). Projects under 5,000 square feet are usually minor ESC projects without stormwater review.

When does a DC project need a stormwater management plan?

When it is a major regulated project: a major land-disturbing activity (5,000 square feet or more of disturbance, with the natural-cover or 2,500-square-foot impervious test) or a major substantial improvement activity. These must retain the 1.2-inch or 0.8-inch storm respectively.

How many infiltration tests does DOEE require?

DOEE's Stormwater Management Guidebook (Appendix O) sets a minimum by practice area: 1 test pit or boring under 1,000 sq ft, 2 for 1,000–1,999 sq ft, 3 for 2,000–9,999 sq ft, and 3 plus 1 per additional 5,000 sq ft at 10,000 sq ft or more. A DC-licensed PE, soil scientist or geologist performs them.

Can I use USDA soil survey data for DOEE stormwater design?

For early feasibility, yes: the guidebook points designers to the NRCS soil survey and hydrologic soil groups, and to group C where the survey maps Urban land. Infiltration practices still need on-site testing.

Where do I submit erosion control and stormwater plans?

File the building permit in DOB's ProjectDox, then submit the ESC and stormwater plans in DOEE's Surface and Groundwater System (SGS) with the DOB permit number.

Is this checklist legal advice?

No. It summarizes official DC sources as of October 23, 2026. Confirm requirements with DOEE, DOB and your design professional before you submit.

Check the soil under your DC site

Free soil type and drainage preview. Full report from $19.

Sources

Official DC sources, last checked October 23, 2026.

This checklist summarizes DC rules as of October 23, 2026. It is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules and thresholds change; confirm requirements with DOEE, DOB and your design professional before you submit.

This report is based on USDA-NRCS SSURGO regional soil-survey data and is intended for preliminary screening only. It is not a geotechnical investigation, soil boring report, environmental assessment, or permit approval.