Environmental Rules in Chicago, IL (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Chicago, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Chicago requires a City-approved Stormwater Management Plan for regulated developments disturbing 15,000+ sq ft or creating 7,500+ sq ft of impervious surface.
Chicago Stormwater Management Plan Rules
Significant RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 11-18-030
Except as provided in subsection (2), every Regulated Development shall at all times have in place a Plan approved by the City. ... Stormwater Drainage Systems shall manage the peak rate of discharge from the Regulated Development... Stormwater drainage systems shall reduce the volume of runoff... by... capture one-half inch of runoff from all impervious surfaces in accordance with volume contr...
Erosion Control
Chicago requires a City-approved Stormwater Management Plan with sediment and erosion control measures for any construction disturbing 15,000+ square feet or creating 7,500+ square feet of new pavement.
Chicago Stormwater Plan Requires Erosion Control
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 11-18-030
Except as provided in subsection (2), every Regulated Development shall at all times have in place a Plan approved by the City. ... the Plan shall include the following: ... (b) Provisions for sediment and erosion control. (c) Provisions for operations and maintenance.
Flood Zones
Chicago requires a flood-control permit and elevation compliance for any development valued over $1,000 in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area before other permits can issue.
Chicago Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 16-6-060(a)
In addition to the requirements of Section 16-6-050, a building located in the S.F.H.A. shall be protected from flood damage below the F.P.E. in accordance with Section 16-6-070 or Section 16-6-071, as applicable, if any of the following applies: (a) Construction or placement of a new building is valued at more than $1,000.00;
Boat Dock Permits
Building, altering, or repairing any dock in Chicago's harbor waterways requires a written permit from the Commissioner of Transportation, issued after a harbor safety and navigability review.
Chicago boat dock permit required
Significant RestrictionsChicago Municipal Code § 10-40-330
No person shall drive or place, or cause to be driven or placed, any pile or piles, stone, timber, earth, or other obstruction of any kind whatsoever, in the harbor, or build, construct, or repair any dock therein, or build or cause to be built any bridge or other structure across any part of the harbor, or drive or place, or cause to be driven or placed, any pile or piles of timber, or make an...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Chicago's flood control code sets a flood protection elevation one foot above the base flood elevation, and new construction in mapped flood hazard areas must meet it.
Chicago 1-Ft Freeboard Above Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Chicago § 16-6-010(l)
"Flood protection elevation" or "F.P.E." means the base flood elevation plus one foot at any given location in the S.F.H.A. (m) "I.D.N.R./O.W.R." means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources and its successor agencies. (n) "Issuing department" means any department or agency of the city government responsible for reviewing an application for permits for...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chicago city rules.
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