Last Updated 08/05/2026
City of Sioux Falls Stormwater BMP Master Plan Volume 2
Maintenance Requirements for Different Management Practices
Riparian Buffers
Maintenance is limited to maintaining the vegetation and occasional trash and sediment removal. Where native vegetation is used rather than groomed turf, the vegetation need only be monitored seasonally to ensure adequate growth of woody vegetation and removal of invasive species. The frequency of trash and sediment removal will depend on the location.
Grass Swales
Maintain the vegetation and perform occasional trash removal. Where native vegetation is used rather than groomed turf, vegetation need only be mowed seasonally to retard the growth of woody vegetation. The frequency of trash removal will depend on location. Sediments trapped behind check dams may need to be cleaned out and spot repairs to vegetation may be required. General lawn maintenance such as mowing, watering and chemical application.
Modified Swales/Biofilters
Maintain the vegetation and perform occasional trash removal. Where native vegetation is used rather than groomed turf, vegetation need only be mowed seasonally to retard the growth of woody vegetation. The frequency of trash removal will depend on location. Recommended to cut grass no lower than about 3 to 5 inches. Could be necessary to remove excess sediment trapped behind check dams and spot repairs to vegetation may be required.
Filter Strips
The filter strip should be kept free of litter. The vegetation should be maintained with normal landscape activities. Irrigation and fertilization needs on the filter strip may be less than normal because the runoff from the adjacent areas will provide both water and nutrients. Periodic aeration of the soil may be helpful if the underlying soil is particularly tight and there is compaction. During the first 1 or 2 years, filter strips and level spreaders should be inspected for proper distribution of flows and signs of erosion during and after major storm events. After the first 1 or 2 years, the strip may be inspected annually or biannually. If erosion is discovered, the eroded areas should be filled in and reseeded. Then, the cause for the erosion should be determined and, if possible, prevented from recurring.
Bioretention
Monthly inspections are recommended until the plants are established. Annual inspections should then be adequate.
CHAPTER 55: PRIVATELY OWNED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
55.003 REGULATIONS
Permanent structural and/or nonstructural BMPs shall be implemented to control and minimize stormwater runoff rates and volumes and to prevent, control, and minimize stormwater pollutants as required in this Chapter.
(a) It is a violation for any owner to improperly construct or operate or fail to maintain the proper function of privately owned structural BMPs. Maintenance activities include, but are not limited to, removing trash and debris, reseeding, mowing, pest control, removing sediment accumulation, removing vegetation, replacing filter media, and repairing eroded areas.
(b) It is a violation for any owner to place or deposit debris, yard waste, garbage, or other materials that are incompatible with BMPs (e.g., toys, sports equipment, decorative materials) in BMPs, or permit such items to be deposited in any manner on privately owned structural BMPs.
(c) The owner shall immediately notify the public works department of any discharge of a pollutant, debris, yard waste, garbage, excessive sediment, or materials incompatible with BMPs, including from a privately owned BMP, into the municipal storm water drainage system, when such discharge causes or is likely to cause obstruction of stormwater inlets, impairment of the flow of stormwater in city conveyances such as streets or gutters, or release of debris or chemical or biological materials into the municipal stormwater system. This notification shall include the location of the discharge, type of pollutant, concentration and volume, if known, and corrective actions taken by the owner. The owner shall document and submit to the public works department all pertinent information.
(d) In the case of any physical failure, including, but not limited to, structural, equipment, or media failure (e.g., failure of BMP fixtures including, but not limited to, screens, riprap, aerators, design features, and fences) of a privately owned structural BMP that may cause pollutants to enter the municipal stormwater system, the owner shall immediately notify the public works department of the incident. This notification shall include the location failure, type and extent of the failure, if known, and corrective actions taken by the owner. The owner shall document and submit to the public works department all pertinent information.
If privately owned BMPs are constructed, operated, and/or maintained in a manner that results in discharge of pollutants to the city’s storm water drainage system, the director of public works may require the owner to implement additional structural and/or nonstructural BMPs to prevent the further discharge of pollutants to the storm water drainage system.
55.004 ALTERATIONS
Alteration of a BMP could significantly change the treatment capability. Therefore, the owner shall notify the public works department at least 30 days in advance of any significant alterations to or breach of privately owned BMPs, including any removal, replacement, reconstruction, or increase or decrease in surface area or acre-feet of storage of more than 5 percent.
55.005 RIGHT OF ENTRY; INSPECTION AND SAMPLING
The facilities, equipment, practices, or operations of privately owned BMPs are subject to inspection by the city. The inspection may include, but is not limited to, sampling, photographs, interviewing staff on alleged violations, and access to any and all facilities or areas within the premises with any effect on the BMPs.
(a) The procedures for inspection in 53.079 and 53.080 and the state and federal constitutions apply to such inspections.
(b) It is a violation of city ordinance to maintain any temporary or permanent obstruction, preventing the city from obtaining safe and reasonable access to any BMP.
(c) Notice will be provided prior to inspections, except in emergency circumstances.
55.006 ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY
Any person or entity found to be in violation of this chapter or requirement imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be provided with a written statement identifying the nature of the violation and provided with a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof not to exceed 90 days. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in the notice, permanently cease or correct all violations. Any person or entity who fails to cease or correct its violation or who reasonably appears to present or cause an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of the public or the environment, will be served with a written Notice of Violation. The procedures in 53.096 through 53.101 shall apply to enforcement when a Notice of Violation is issued.
Any person found to be in violation of this chapter or requirement imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be guilty of a violation of city ordinances and shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law or ordinances, specifically 40.999. Each day in which any violations shall continue is a separate offense.
Any person or entity found to be in violation of this chapter or requirement imposed pursuant to this chapter shall become liable to the city for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned to the city by reason of the violation.
View State Page
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to maintain a grass swale or biofilter in Sioux Falls?
For grass swales and modified swales or biofilters, maintenance centers on vegetation upkeep and occasional trash removal. Native vegetation areas only need seasonal mowing to control woody growth, while sediment trapped behind check dams may need periodic cleanout, along with spot repairs to vegetation as needed. AQUALIS can help property owners in Sioux Falls, South Dakota build a maintenance schedule tailored to their specific BMP type.
How often should a bioretention facility be inspected in Sioux Falls, South Dakota?
Monthly inspections are recommended until the plants are fully established. After that, annual inspections are generally sufficient.
Who is responsible for maintaining a privately owned BMP in Sioux Falls?
The property owner. Owners must properly construct, operate, and maintain the function of any privately owned structural BMP, covering tasks like removing trash and debris, reseeding, mowing, pest control, sediment removal, vegetation removal, filter media replacement, and repairing eroded areas. Failing to do so is a city ordinance violation.
What should I do if my Sioux Falls property discharges a pollutant into the city's stormwater system?
Notify the public works department immediately if the discharge is causing or is likely to cause a blocked stormwater inlet, impaired flow in city streets or gutters, or the release of debris or chemical or biological materials into the system. Your notification needs to cover the discharge’s location, the type of pollutant, its concentration and volume if known, and the corrective action taken, documented in writing.
Can the City of Sioux Falls inspect my privately owned BMP?
Yes. City staff can inspect the facilities, equipment, practices, and operations tied to a privately owned BMP, which can include sampling, photographs, staff interviews about alleged violations, and access to any area of the property connected to the BMP. Notice is generally provided before an inspection, except in emergencies. Maintaining any obstruction that blocks safe, reasonable access for the city is itself a violation.
What happens if I'm found in violation of Sioux Falls' BMP requirements?
You’ll receive a written statement describing the violation and a reasonable deadline, up to 90 days, to correct it. If you don’t cease or correct the violation in that time, or if the violation presents an imminent risk to public health, welfare, or the environment, the city will issue a formal Notice of Violation. Violations are treated as a violation of city ordinance, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense, and the responsible party becomes liable to the city for any resulting expense, loss, or damage. AQUALIS can help property owners resolve issues within the correction window to avoid this next step.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
