Developers building commercial or multi-unit projects will now pay more to turn dirt when their sites are being prepared for construction.

On Tuesday, the Oxford Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance that will raise the permit fee for a land disturbance permit from $100 for the first 5 acres and $50 for each additional acre to $250 for the first five acres and $100 for the each additional acre.

Residential, one or two family lots, will pay $25.

The ordinance amendment also includes sanctions for violators of the city’s storm water laws. A first violation would result in a stop-work order until sediment is satisfactorily removed if disposed of improperly. A second violation would result in a stop-work order for a minimum of one week. A third violation would result in a stop-work order and revocation of the building permit until the Board of Aldermen approves the removal of sedimentation and preventative efforts by the developer.

Violators who do not make the recommended changes to their storm water run-off plans could face a misdemeanor charge with fines from $500 to $1,000.