Environmental Rules in Champaign, IL (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Champaign, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Champaign requires on-site stormwater detention for nonresidential development over 2 acres and residential development over 5 acres, or any smaller site over 50% impervious. Drainage systems must hold the peak 100-year discharge to no more than 0.18 cfs per acre.
Champaign Stormwater Detention Requirements
Some RestrictionsChampaign, IL Code of Ordinances § 29.5-4.04
(a)Developments initiated after the adoption of these regulations shall provide for temporarily detaining stormwater runoff from the site in the following cases:(1)In any nonresidential development of greater than two (2) acres, including one-half of existing, adjacent streets, or less than two (2) acres if more than fifty (50) percent of the surface area is impervious.(2)In any residential dev...
Erosion Control
Champaign requires a land disturbance permit and an approved erosion and sediment control plan for construction sites disturbing 2,000 square feet or more. The City Engineer inspects sites, can stop work, and enforces a fine system under Chapter 29.5, Article V.
Champaign Construction Erosion & Sediment Control
Significant RestrictionsChampaign, IL Code of Ordinances § 29.5-102
(a)These regulations provide for the minimum standards related to the management of soil erosion caused by land disturbing activities within the city, within the extra territorial jurisdiction for installation of subdivision infrastructure, and within areas subject to annexation agreements, unless limited by applicable intergovernmental agreements.(b)Provisions generally concern:(1)Construction...
Flood Zones
No one may start any development in a Champaign special flood hazard area without first obtaining a development permit under Section 9-231 of the Municipal Code. The Building Safety Supervisor issues permits for buildings and additions valued over $1,000; the City Engineer issues permits for every other kind of development, from grading to utility work.
Champaign Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsChampaign Municipal Code § 9-231
No person shall commence any development in the special flood hazard area without first filing an application for a development permit and obtaining a development permit. The Building Safety Supervisor shall issue a development permit for the construction, reconstruction or placement of a building or an addition to a building valued at more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), provided the de...
Boat Dock Permits
In a Champaign floodway, a boat dock is allowed without a separate city variance only if it qualifies as a "minor boat dock" meeting IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 5. Any other dock needs an IDNR/OWR permit, FEMA sign-off on the flood map, and a City Council variance.
Champaign Floodway Boat Dock Rule
Some RestrictionsChampaign, IL Code of Ordinances § 29.5-3.06(a)
Within the floodway identified on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and within all other floodplains where a floodway has not been delineated, the following standard shall apply: No development shall be allowed which, acting in combination with existing and anticipated development, will cause any increase in flood heights or velocities or create a threat to public health and safety.(a)The fo...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Champaign measures floodplain protection against the base flood elevation set by the State Water Survey's Floodplain Information Repository, per Section 9-235 of the Municipal Code. For Boneyard Creek, Copper Slough, and the Phinney Branch, that elevation comes straight from the 1980 Flood Insurance Study's 100-year flood profiles; in other mapped 'A Zones,' the applicant's own engineer must calculate it.
Champaign Base Flood Elevation Standard
Some RestrictionsChampaign Municipal Code § 9-235
(a)The protection standard used in this article is the base flood elevation established according to the best data available to the State Water Survey's Floodplain Information Repository. Whenever a party disagrees with the best available data, such party may finance the detailed engineering study needed to replace existing data. The detailed engineering study shall be submitted to the State De...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Champaign city rules.
Environmental Rules in Champaign County →