Environmental Rules in Janesville, WI (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Janesville, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Janesville, post-construction stormwater management under City Code § 32-99 applies to any site disturbing one acre or more, with exemptions for low-imperviousness sites under an acre, agriculture and underground utility work; the Director of Public Works administers and enforces the article.
Janesville Post-Construction Stormwater Rules
Significant RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances §§ 32-97, 32-99
(c)The City Council hereby designates the Director of Public Works, hereafter referred to as the Director, to administer and enforce the provisions of this article. ... (a)Applicability.(1)Except as provided under Subsection (b) of this section, this article applies to a post-construction site whereupon one acre or more of land disturbing construction activity occurs during construction.(2)A si...
Erosion Control
In the City of Janesville, land-disturbing construction activity needs an erosion and sediment control permit from the Director before work starts, per Code § 10-171(a). The site plan must meet the performance standards in § 10-170 for construction sites of one acre or more, and the Director has 15 business days to approve or deny a complete application.
Janesville Construction Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 10-171
(a)Permit required. ... No responsible party may commence a land disturbing construction activity subject to this chapter without receiving prior approval of an erosion and sediment control plan for the site and a permit from the Director. ... (c)Permit application review and approval. ... (1)Within 15 business days of the receipt of a complete permit application, as required by Subsection (b) ...
Flood Zones
In the City of Janesville, the Floodplain Overlay District created by Article XIV of Chapter 42 divides every mapped floodplain into a Floodway, a Floodfringe and a General Floodplain District drawn from FEMA's flood insurance rate maps. Development in any of the three districts needs a floodplain land use permit, and the Planning Division keeps the official maps on file.
Janesville Floodplain Overlay District Rules
Significant RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 42-478(a), (c)
(a)Areas to be regulated. This article regulates all areas that would be covered by the regional flood or base flood as shown on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) or other maps approved by DNR. Base flood elevations are derived from the flood profiles in the flood insurance study (FIS) and are shown as AE, A1—30, and AH Zones on the FIRM. ... (c)Establishment of floodplain zoning districts. T...
Boat Dock Permits
Janesville has no standalone boat dock permit ordinance. Piers, docks, walkways and trail bridges built on pilings are a permitted use, not a conditional use, inside the Shoreland-Wetland Overlay District that covers land within 300 feet of the Rock River's ordinary high water mark, so they proceed without Plan Commission review.
Janesville Shoreland Dock and Pier Rules
Few RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances §§ 42-520(a)(3), 42-521(a)(7)
(3)Within 300 feet of the ordinary high water mark of navigable rivers or streams, or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater. ... (a)Permitted uses. Permitted uses are uses of land or buildings in conformance with all provisions of this chapter and specifically allowed in the Shoreland-Wetland Overlay District subject to the provisions of Wis. Stats. chs. 30 and 3...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the City of Janesville, 'flood protection elevation' means two feet of freeboard above the regional flood's water surface profile, and any new house built in the Floodfringe District must set its lowest floor at or above that elevation using fill that extends at least 15 feet beyond the structure.
Janesville Flood Protection Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsJanesville Code of General Ordinances § 42-489, § 42-481(c)(1)a
Flood protection elevation means an elevation of two feet of freeboard above the water surface profile elevation designated for the regional flood. (Also see Freeboard.) ... a.The elevation of the lowest floor shall be at or above the flood protection elevation on fill unless the requirements of Subsection (c)(1)b of this section can be met. The fill shall be one foot or more above the regional...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Janesville city rules.
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