Environmental Rules in Dearborn Heights, MI (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Dearborn Heights, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Dearborn Heights, City Code Chapter 39 requires a stormwater construction approval from the Building and Engineering Department before regulated development begins, with the design meeting flood-control and water-quality standards under §§ 39-31 and 39-41 unless the city approves an alternative design.
Dearborn Heights Stormwater Management Rules
Significant RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 39-1, 39-21
Sec. 39-1. - Purpose/legislative findings. This chapter is declared necessary for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Dearborn Heights and to protect the environment against pollution and other adverse effects from stormwater runoff, and to provide performance and design criteria for stormwater management systems. ... ... Sec. 39-21. - Application requirements. ...
Erosion Control
In the City of Dearborn Heights, City Code §§ 39-32 and 39-44 require a vegetated buffer strip along watercourses used in a stormwater system and mandate soil erosion protection at every closed-conduit inlet and outlet and at every culvert and bridge built as part of a stormwater management system.
Dearborn Heights Erosion Control for Stormwater
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 39-32, 39-44(c)(7), (d)(3)
Sec. 39-32. - Water resources protection. ... A buffer strip shall be established and/or preserved from the top of bank of any watercourse or surface water approved by the city as a component of a stormwater management system. ... Sec. 39-44. - Stormwater conveyances. ... (c)Closed conduits. ... (7)Closed conduit inlets and outlets shall have an end treatment and soil erosion protection, and ma...
Flood Zones
In the City of Dearborn Heights, Chapter 15 regulates every area of special flood hazard identified in FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for the city completed May 6, 1996. No structure or land in a mapped flood hazard zone may be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without full compliance with the chapter, and a flood hazard area development permit from the Building and Engineering Director is required first.
Flood Zone Development Rules
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 15-7, 15-8, 15-9
Sec. 15-7. - Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the city. ... Sec. 15-8. - Basis for establishing areas of special flood hazard. (a)The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the City of Dearborn Heights, Section 15-57 requires the lowest floor, including the basement, of any new or substantially improved residential structure in a special flood hazard area to be elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Everything below that floor must resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and buoyancy, and a registered engineer or architect may have to certify compliance.
Base Flood Elevation Requirements
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 15-57
Sec. 15-57. - Residential construction. All new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure in all areas of special flood hazard shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. That part of the structure below the lowest floor shall have structural components which are water-resistant and are capable of resisting hydro...
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