Is there a slope to be concerned with? If not, then your issue is more with the development of weeds than it is with erosion, although a bare dirt yard will certainly offer some interesting mud situations during our typically soggy winters :-)

If new construction, one can assume the soil is pretty much c##p so the addition of a thick layer of organic mulch will help on all counts. Wood chips will keep down weeds as well as provide a relatively dry and mud-free footing and are often available free from tree services. You could also look into one of the prepared mulches offered by places like Pacific Topsoils or Cedar Grove, which typically contain some sort of compost as well as bark or sawdust. I'd go with at least 3-4" of whatever you choose. This can be incorporated into the soil when you get ready to landscape in spring and will add needed organic matter and texture to whatever soil you have to work with. If you opt for the wood chips, a nitrogen source will need to be added to the planting beds at planting time.

Use a cover crop. That works really well in the vacant areas of my veggie garden. Crimson clover is a winter annual that you till in in spring. It keeps the weeds down, the soil in place, and adds nitrogen and organic matter when tilled in.

Tree chips work well too, but they don't add nitrogen when tilled in.

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will try the clover. Hopefully it will germinate in October?