Clay County watches one acre of land disturbance

For a bigger grading or clearing project in unincorporated Clay County, do not ask only whether a building is going up. Clay County says owners or their agents should contact Planning and Zoning before land disturbance of one acre or more.

The county’s erosion and sediment rules apply when a project is expected to disturb one or more acres. The purpose is practical: keep soil from washing onto nearby land and into streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and other waters.

That makes this a useful early check for a rural lot, small subdivision, commercial site, or other non-agricultural project. Before equipment moves dirt, ask the county whether the work needs land-disturbance review, a pre-application meeting, a stormwater plan, or another permit path.