SESC Permit Criteria

The Leelanau County Stormwater Ordinance, which incorporates Part 91 of Act 451 (formerly Act 347), Michigan’s Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law, regulates and requires a permit for:

  • Commercial projects (non-residential)

  • Earthwork within 500 feet of a lake or stream (includes minor projects)

  • Earthwork within 100 feet of a regulated wetland (includes minor projects)

  • Construction of a driveway with a slope of 10% or greater

  • Every project that will disturb one or more acres of soil

  • Any work done in a subdivision, as well as all projects in Leland and Solon townships need a permit, whether within 500' of water or not

It is necessary to obtain a SESC permit before work begins. Failure to obtain a permit may result in additional fees.

 FAQs

  • Please review the criteria above. If you are still unsure, please call our office at 231.256.9783

  • You are required to obtain a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) if any part of your project takes place below the ordinary high water mark, in a stream or wetland, or in a Critical Dune Area. If you are unsure if an EGLE permit is necessary, we will make that determination upon visiting your site.

    ​In Leelanau County, permits for these kinds of high priority sites are issued by Robyn Schmidt of EGLE Water Resources Division—visit https://www.michigan.gov/egle

    If an EGLE permit is required, an SESC permit will not be issued until the EGLE permit is received. Please contact our office for a letter of assurance, required in the EGLE permit application.

  • You may still apply for a permit. Our office will process your application and carry out a site inspection. We will then wait to issue the permit until you've selected a contractor or excavator and notify our office.

  • Start by clicking the application button above. Then do one of the following:

    • Fill out the form in your browser, download the completed application, and email it to lcd@leelanau.gov

    • Print the blank form, fill it out, and mail or drop off the completed application to our office at 8527 E Government Center Dr. Suttons Bay, MI 49682

  • We accept cash, check, or credit card payments. If paying with a check, view our fee schedule or call our office to determine the correct amount and mail or drop it off at our office. For credit card payments, submit the application first. Once the application has been processed, our office will call you to receive proper payment over the phone.

  • Once your application has been submitted and paid, a Soil Erosion Officer will visit the property to perform a site inspection. You are not required to be on-site unless otherwise noted. Following that, our office may contact you with questions or changes to be made before the permit is issued. Expect the process to take approximately two weeks—from submitting the application to receiving your permit.

Additional Services

Soil Erosion Site Vist

If you have questions or concerns about soil conditions, erosion hazards, wetlands/ streams/lakeshore, or the SESC permitting process, one of our Erosion Control Officers can meet you or a designated agent on site. Complete the site visit request below and submit the $80.00 fee, we'll be happy to schedule a visit. 

(Vegetative Removal Assurance Plan)

The most fragile areas of Michigan’s dunes can be protected while balancing the benefits of economic development, public access, and enjoyment through the protection of steep, erosive slopes by protecting and re-establishing dune vegetation communities essential to dune preservation and stability. For projects within a Critical Dune Area, EGLE requires a VRAP. Our staff can write one for you, see the application below.

VRAP

SESSRC Ordinance

​The purpose of the Leelanau County Soil Erosion, Sedimentation & Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance is to prevent the pollution, impairment, or destruction of a natural resource or the public trust in Leelanau County. ​Adopted in 2014 by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with provisions of Section 9105(2&3) Part 91, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 1994, PA 451, as amended.