Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act (VESMA)

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 2.3 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act (VESMA).” It is part of Chapter 3.1 “State Water Control Law”, which is part of Title 62.1 “Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors”. It contains 35 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 35 sections.

§ 62.1-44.15:24	Definitions
§ 62.1-44.15:25	Further powers and duties of the State Water Control Board
§ 62.1-44.15:25.1	Additional local authority
§ 62.1-44.15:26	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:26.1	Termination of Construction General Permit coverage
§ 62.1-44.15:27	Virginia Programs for Erosion Control and Stormwater Management
§ 62.1-44.15:27.1	Virginia Stormwater Management Programs administered by the Board
§ 62.1-44.15:27.2	Rural Tidewater localities; water quantity technical criteria; tiered approach
§ 62.1-44.15:27.3	Acceptance of signed and sealed plan in lieu of local plan review
§ 62.1-44.15:27.4	Department acceptance of plans in lieu of plan review
§ 62.1-44.15:28	Development of regulations
§ 62.1-44.15:28.1	Pollutant removal by dredging
§ 62.1-44.15:29	Virginia Stormwater Management Fund
§ 62.1-44.15:29.1	Stormwater Local Assistance Fund
§ 62.1-44.15:29.2	Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, estimate of requests
§ 62.1-44.15:30	Training and certification
§ 62.1-44.15:31	Standards and specifications for state agencies, federal entities, and other specified entities
§ 62.1-44.15:32	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:33	Authorization for more stringent ordinances
§ 62.1-44.15:34	Regulated activities; submission and approval of a permit application; security for performance; exemptions
§ 62.1-44.15:35	Nutrient credit use and additional offsite options for construction activities
§ 62.1-44.15:36	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:37	Notices to comply and stop work orders
§ 62.1-44.15:37.1	Inspections; land-disturbing activities of natural gas pipelines; stop work instructions
§ 62.1-44.15:38	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:39	Right of entry
§ 62.1-44.15:40	Information to be furnished
§ 62.1-44.15:41	Liability of common interest communities
§ 62.1-44.15:42	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:46	Appeals
§ 62.1-44.15:47	Repealed
§ 62.1-44.15:48	Penalties, injunctions, and other legal actions
§ 62.1-44.15:49	Enforcement authority of MS4 localities
§ 62.1-44.15:49.1	MS4 industrial and high-risk programs
§ 62.1-44.15:50	Cooperation with federal and state agencies