Environmental Rules in Des Plaines, IL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Des Plaines or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Des Plaines has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Stormwater Management

Stormwater management in Des Plaines is governed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), which Des Plaines administers locally. New development and redevelopment that disturbs more than a threshold area must provide on-site detention, water quality treatment, and erosion control. Des Plaines is in the Des Plaines River watershed and is highly flood-prone.

Key details: Authority: MWRD WMO. Detention: 1 ac / 25,000 sf. Water Quality: 1/2 acre threshold. Watershed: Des Plaines River. Engineering: (847) 391-5390.

Failure to comply with MWRD WMO or City stormwater requirements may result in plan rejection, stop-work orders, and enforcement action by Des Plaines Engineering at (847) 391-5390. MWRD may take separate enforcement for major violations.

Grading & Drainage

Des Plaines requires that lot grading and drainage direct stormwater away from building foundations and not concentrate runoff onto adjacent properties. Grading plans are reviewed by Engineering as part of building permits, particularly in the City's flood-prone neighborhoods along the Des Plaines River.

Key details: Foundation Slope: 6 inches in 10 ft. Grading Plan: Required. Sump to Sewer: Prohibited. Discharge to Lot: Prohibited. Engineering: (847) 391-5390.

Improper grading that floods neighbors may result in a notice from Des Plaines Engineering at (847) 391-5390 requiring corrective regrading. Connecting downspouts or sump pumps to the sanitary sewer is a code violation subject to fines and disconnection orders.

Erosion Control

Construction sites in Des Plaines disturbing 1/2 acre or more must implement erosion and sediment control measures under the MWRD Watershed Management Ordinance. Sites disturbing 1 acre or more must obtain Illinois EPA NPDES coverage under General Permit ILR10 with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Key details: BMP Threshold: 1/2 acre. NPDES Threshold: 1 acre. Permit: IL EPA ILR10. SWPPP: Required >1 acre. Trackout: Must be cleaned.

Failure to install or maintain erosion controls may result in stop-work orders and fines from Des Plaines Engineering at (847) 391-5390 starting at $100 per day. Illinois EPA NPDES violations carry separate civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation.

Flood Zones

Des Plaines participates in NFIP. The Des Plaines River runs through the city and portions are in FEMA flood hazard areas. NFIP flood insurance required with federally backed mortgages in SFHAs.

Key details: NFIP: Des Plaines participates. Flood Risk: Des Plaines River and tributaries — portions in SFHAs. 50% Rule: Substantial improvement triggers full flood compliance. Flood Insurance: Required with federally backed mortgages in SFHAs. Contact: Public Works Engineering: 847-391-5390.

Building in flood zone without permit: stop-work order. NFIP non-compliance affects community flood insurance eligibility. Fines per city code.

The Bottom Line

Des Plaines's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Plaines is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Des Plaines's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.