Environmental Rules in Des Plaines, IL (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Des Plaines, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Stormwater management in Des Plaines is governed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), which Des Plaines administers locally. New development and redevelopment that disturbs more than a threshold area must provide on-site detention, water quality treatment, and erosion control. Des Plaines is in the Des Plaines River watershed and is highly flood-prone.
Des Plaines Stormwater Management
Some RestrictionsErosion Control
Construction sites in Des Plaines disturbing 1/2 acre or more must implement erosion and sediment control measures under the MWRD Watershed Management Ordinance. Sites disturbing 1 acre or more must obtain Illinois EPA NPDES coverage under General Permit ILR10 with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Des Plaines Erosion and Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsFlood Zones
Des Plaines participates in NFIP. The Des Plaines River runs through the city and portions are in FEMA flood hazard areas. NFIP flood insurance required with federally backed mortgages in SFHAs.
Des Plaines River Flood Zones
Some RestrictionsFEMA Flood Maps – National Flood Insurance Program; Flood Map Service Center
Flood Maps Floods are unpredictable. Because flood risk is always changing, communities use tools to understand their risk and take actions to protect their families, homes and businesses. [...] Floods occur naturally and can happen almost anywhere. They may not even be near a body of water, although river and coastal flooding are two of the most common types. Heavy rains, poor drainage, and ev...
Grading & Drainage
Des Plaines requires that lot grading and drainage direct stormwater away from building foundations and not concentrate runoff onto adjacent properties. Grading plans are reviewed by Engineering as part of building permits, particularly in the City's flood-prone neighborhoods along the Des Plaines River.
Des Plaines Grading and Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Plaines city rules.
Environmental Rules in Cook County →