Development and Construction

The city of St. Joseph has specific standards for all new construction and construction expansion, required by the Missouri Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) General Permit. The following toolkits for developers of both large and small projects, engineers, and contractors include information about the processes, required forms, worksheets, and other helpful resources.

Developer Toolkit

A concept review meeting is required for all new development and redevelopment projects that require zoning or platting, pre-treatment, stormwater, are located within a floodplain, or submit variance requests. The Commercial and Subdivision Review Process (PDF) outlines the requirements.

The Plan Review Process Checklist (PDF) requirements must be submitted before scheduling the concept review meeting. 

A Land Disturbance Permit (PDF) is required prior to land clearing activities greater than 1,000 square feet within the city limits of St. Joseph. 

Residential Construction Toolkit

Projects Less Than One Acre – Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
Residential construction less than one acre must have controls in place to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff from construction activities and disturbed land. The necessary controls are found in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Sites Less than One Acre (PDF).

A Land Disturbance Permit (PDF) is required prior to land clearing activities greater than 1,000 square feet within the city limits of St. Joseph.

Engineer Toolkit

A Land Disturbance Permit (PDF) is required prior to land clearing activities greater than 1,000 square feet within the city limits of St. Joseph. 

St. Joseph has a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (PDF) for projects disturbing one or more acres. The goal of the Plan is to keep sediment on the project sites to ensure water quality. This customizable template provides guidance through the development process and assists in meeting necessary requirements in the Missouri State General Permit and city of St. Joseph regulations. 

The American Public Works Association and the Mid-America Regional Council published a BMP Manual for Water Quality as an area resource for developers, engineers, and planners. A stormwater BMP (Best Management Practice) is any action or practice aimed at reducing flow rates and pollution concentrations in urban runoff. 

Level of Service Worksheets
The city of St. Joseph requires the Level of Service (LS) Method in local design criteria for water quality protection. The formulations assess predevelopment and proposed post development site conditions, creating stormwater BMP packages to achieve stormwater design goals for the site. To determine the LS for a development, the site must be classified as either undeveloped or redeveloped because different procedures are used for each type. Level of Service Worksheets (PDF) offer both types of development worksheets, along with a mitigation package worksheet. 

Permanent Stormwater BMP Maintenance Worksheet
Maintaining stormwater BMPs is vitally important to upholding community water standards. The St. Joseph stormwater ordinance requires the developer to prepare and submit a stormwater treatment plan with a projected maintenance schedule. Stormwater staff will schedule routine inspections with the facility owner to ensure long-term operation and maintenance of the feature. The Permanent Stormwater BMP Maintenance Worksheet (PDF) includes suggested project maintenance activities for several types of BMPs. 

Stormwater Management Design Standards for Development and Redevelopment Projects (PDF)

Contractor Toolkit

Provisions for all land development in the city of St. Joseph, new or redeveloped, are found in city of St. Joseph Land Disturbance Requirements (PDF). The document details the process and requirements for land disturbance permit application, grading, erosion and sediment control, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, inspections, and more.

A Land Disturbance Permit (PDF) is required prior to land clearing activities greater than 1,000 square feet within the city limits of St. Joseph. 

Pre-Construction Meeting Checklist (PDF)

Post-Construction Checklist
A post construction infrastructure inspection is required for all commercial and subdivision projects. The contractor must complete the Post-Construction Checklist (PDF) at least two weeks prior to requesting a Certificate of Occupancy permit. The Checklist identifies additional information, which may be needed, and staff contact information.

Construction Site ESC Inspections
Construction sites will be inspected periodically for erosion and sediment control and stormwater pollution prevention. The developer must maintain control measures until the site is stabilized and the permit is terminated. See the ESC Inspection Report Form (PDF).

Permit Termination Form
To terminate the land disturbance permit, the permittee must request a final inspection, and provide the inspector with the MDNR Form H Permit Termination Form (PDF).

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