Environmental Rules in Bloomington, IN (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Bloomington, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Bloomington, dumping anything other than stormwater into a storm drain, ditch, or waterbody is illegal under Bloomington Municipal Code § 13.03.040, and so is building or keeping any illicit connection to the storm drain system. City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) administers the Stormwater Management Ordinance and can require dischargers to install pollution-control best management practices at their own expense.
Stormwater Discharge Rules in Bloomington, Indiana
Significant RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 13.03.040
(a)Prohibited Discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to a MS4 conveyance, watercourse, or waterbody, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, any substance other than stormwater or an exempted discharge. Any person discharging stormwater shall effectively minimize pollutants from also being discharged with the stormwater through the use of best management pract...
Erosion Control
In the City of Bloomington, every construction site disturbing ground, no matter the size, must control erosion and sediment under Bloomington Municipal Code § 13.05.040, using best management practices like silt fences, filter socks, or sedimentation basins. Bare soil left idle must start getting stabilized within seven days and finish within fourteen, and CBU inspects the measures before land-disturbing work can even begin.
Construction Erosion Control Rules in Bloomington
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 13.05.040
(a)All project sites undergoing land disturbing activities, regardless of size, shall prevent the illicit discharge of pollutants off-site or conveyed into any stormwater drainage system, either by wind or water in accordance with the MS4GP and the CSGP. All land disturbing activities shall be protected by best management practices. Best management practices may include, but are not limited to,...
Flood Zones
In the City of Bloomington, no structure may be located, altered or extended within an area of special flood hazard without a Floodplain Development Permit, and violations are treated as a common nuisance under Bloomington Municipal Code Section 20.04.040.
Bloomington Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 20.04.040(b)(1), (c)(2), (c)(8)
(b)Applicability.(1)This Section 20.04.040 (Floodplain) shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard (SFHAs) within the jurisdiction of the City of Bloomington, Indiana including any additional areas of special flood hazard annexed by the City of Bloomington, Indiana. ... (2)Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit. A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with...
Boat Dock Permits
In the City of Bloomington, no one may build a boathouse or permanent dock structure on land adjoining Lake Lemon within the flowage easement without written permission from the city or the Lake Lemon Conservancy District (LLCD). Docks are capped at sixty feet from the shoreline, riparian owners face a set limit on the number of docks and moored boats, and altering the shoreline requires separate written approval.
Bloomington Lake Lemon Dock and Pier Permits
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code §§ 11.04.400, 11.04.410
The city reiterates its policy of not limiting the use of privately owned property, but since usable docks and piers can only be constructed in the lake area owned or controlled by the city or the LLCD, the following regulations pertaining to such structures are enacted: No person shall construct a boathouse or permanent structure of any type upon land adjoining the lake within the flowage ease...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New or substantially improved homes in a Bloomington special flood hazard area must have their lowest floor built at or above the Flood Protection Grade, defined as the base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard, under Bloomington Municipal Code Section 20.04.040(e).
Bloomington Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code §§ 20.04.040(e)(4)(B)(ii), 20.07.010
(ii)In Zone A and Zone AE. new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor; including basement, at or above the FPG. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with the standards of Section 20.04.040(e)(4)(C)(v...