How Lehi Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide
Lehi maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Lehi falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Stormwater Management
Lehi regulates stormwater system design, construction, illicit discharges and inspections citywide under a dedicated 2018 ordinance built to satisfy NPDES/UPDES permit requirements. First offenses are class C misdemeanors, second offenses class B, plus civil penalties and cost recovery.
Key details: Governing chapter: Lehi City Code ch. 9-3. Adopted: Ord. 99-2018, 11-13-2018. First offense: Class C misdemeanor. Second offense: Class B misdemeanor. Correction window: 48 hours to 10 calendar days.
A first stormwater violation may be charged as a class C misdemeanor and a second offense as a class B misdemeanor under § 9-3-8, with fines assessed per day per violation; the city can also impose a civil penalty set by council resolution and recover its investigation, enforcement, maintenance and attorney's fee costs from the violator.
This is one of the stricter rules in Lehi's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Flood Zones
Lehi requires a Floodplain Development Permit for any construction, fill, or alteration within a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area. The Stormwater Engineer serves as Floodplain Administrator and reviews every application before work can begin.
Key details: Permit required: Floodplain Development Permit. Administrator: City Stormwater Engineer. Max fine: $1,000 per violation. Max jail term: 180 days. Floodway rise limit: 1.00 foot without CLOMR.
Building or altering land in a mapped special flood hazard area without a Floodplain Development Permit is a Class B Misdemeanor under Section 12-D.030.J, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or up to 180 days in jail, or both, with each day of violation assessed separately, plus all city costs and expenses of the case. The Floodplain Administrator may also issue a written stop-work order under Section 12-D.030.I requiring cited work to cease immediately.
This is one of the stricter rules in Lehi's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved homes in Lehi's mapped flood zones must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, with a certified elevation submitted to the city.
Key details: Freeboard minimum: 1 foot above BFE. Applies to: Lowest floor incl. basement. Certification required from: Engineer, architect, or surveyor. Crawlspace grade limit: 2 feet below LAG. Flood vent sizing: 1 sq in per sq ft.
Constructing or substantially improving a structure below the required one-foot freeboard elevation without the certified elevation documentation is a Floodplain Development Permit violation under Chapter 12-D, a Class B Misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail per Section 12-D.030.J, and buildings lacking the elevation certificate are presumed noncompliant until it is produced.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lehi actively enforces its flood elevation requirements requirements.
Erosion Control
Lehi requires a grading permit before disturbing more than one acre of land or moving more than two feet of fill or cut, and every permit application must map erosion and sedimentation control devices such as sediment fences and basins built before land-disturbing work begins.
Key details: Permit trigger: over 1 acre disturbed or 2+ ft grade change. Control devices: sediment fences/basins before disturbance. Stormwater filing: SWPPP plus Utah DWQ Notice of Intent. Late/no-permit fine: $500 minimum per day. Permit term: 1 year, extendable under §10.120.
Work not performed in compliance with the SWPPP plan is a grading permit violation (Section 12-B.080.G), as is grading outside the approved surveyed area, removal of survey stakes, or hauling off approved routes. Grading without a valid permit or after a permit expires draws a minimum daily fine of $500 per day (Section 12-B.090.D), and repeated out-of-bounds grading triggers escalating stop-work orders, a 30-day grading ban, and eventual permit revocation requiring a new permit fee and bond (Section 12-B.090.A). Violations may also be charged as a misdemeanor under Section 34.010 (Section 12-B.090.E).
The Bottom Line
Lehi is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Lehi, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.
This guide is based on Lehi's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.