Environmental Rules in Dubuque, IA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Dubuque, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Dubuque bans dumping anything but rain into its storm drains. City Code section 13-5-6 forbids discharging pollutants, nonstormwater flows, or geothermal pump-and-dump water into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) or watercourses, and bans illicit connections into the storm drain system entirely.
Dubuque Stormwater Discharge Prohibitions
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 13-5-6
13-5-6: DISCHARGE PROHIBITIONS: ... A. Prohibition Of Illegal Discharges: No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the MS4 or watercourses any of the following: 1. Materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants, waters containing pollutants, nonstormwater discharge, or those that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality standards. ... ... C. Prohibiti...
Erosion Control
In the City of Dubuque, anyone with an active state NPDES general permit no. 2 for construction land disturbance must also obtain a city Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) permit under City Code 14-12-6. The ESC permit is a condition precedent to getting a city building permit for the same land-disturbing work.
Erosion and Sediment Control Permit in Dubuque
Significant RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 14-12-6
14-12-6: EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL (ESC) PERMIT: ... A. City ESC Permit Required: All persons required by law or administrative rule to obtain the state NPDES general permit no. 2 from the IDNR and all persons with an active state NPDES general permit no. 2 shall obtain a city ESC permit in addition to and not in lieu of a state NPDES general permit no. ... 2. E. ... Condition Precedent To I...
Flood Zones
Dubuque regulates development in mapped flood hazard areas through the Flood Hazard Overlay District under City Code Section 16-6-4, adopted under Iowa Code Chapter 414 authority. The City Planner administers the district as Floodplain Administrator, and any violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.
Flood Hazard Overlay Rules in Dubuque
Heavy RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 16-6-4-2, § 16-6-4-11
16-6-4-2: STATUTORY AUTHORITY, FINDINGS OF FACT AND PURPOSE: ... A. The Legislature of the State of Iowa has in Chapter 414, Code of Iowa, as amended, delegated the power to cities to enact zoning regulations to secure safety from flood and to promote health and the general welfare. ... ... D. Compliance: No structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended, ...
Boat Dock Permits
Dubuque requires written permission from the city manager before anyone moors a boathouse or float, the code's terms for a private boat dock, along the city's waterfront or in the Ice Harbor, and bars relocating one there without that same approval. Ownership of a waterfront boathouse or float cannot be transferred once it is in place.
Dubuque Waterfront Float And Dock Permit
Significant RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 10-7-5
No boathouses or floats shall be moored along the waterfront of the City or in the Ice Harbor, nor shall any such boathouses or floats be relocated to the waterfront or in the Ice Harbor without the written permission of the City Manager. ... Transfer of ownership of boathouses and floats owned and located along the waterfront shall be prohibited.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the City of Dubuque, the Unified Development Code's Floodway Fringe Overlay District requires new and substantially improved structures to elevate their lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation, per UDC section 16-6-4-7. Flood control works like levees and flood walls must provide three feet of design freeboard. Planning Services administers the Floodplain Development Permit that developers must obtain before any floodplain construction begins.
Dubuque Flood Elevation And Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsDubuque City Code § 16-6-4-7
B. Performance Standards: ... All development must be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage and meet the following applicable performance standards. Until a regulatory floodway is designated, no development may increase the base flood elevation more than one foot (1'). ... ... 2. Residential Structures: All new or substantially improved residential structures shall have the lowest f...