Environmental Rules in Lawrence, KS (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Lawrence, Kansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Lawrence, releasing anything but uncontaminated stormwater into the storm drainage system is unlawful, and property owners have ongoing maintenance duties to keep pollutants out. Lawrence City Code § 9-1102 bans illicit discharges and connections, and separately requires owners to maintain private drainage systems, clean paved lots, and manage pet waste and pesticides.
Lawrence Stormwater Discharge Rules for Property Owners
Some RestrictionsLawrence City Code § 9-1102
(a)Prohibitions.(1)No person shall release or cause to be released into the storm drainage system any discharge that is not composed entirely of uncontaminated stormwater, except as allowed in subsection (b) of this section. Common stormwater contaminants include trash, yard waste, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products, hazardous waste...
Erosion Control
In the City of Lawrence, any construction site or subdivision that disturbs one acre or more of soil must have a city-approved stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWP3) before work starts. Lawrence City Code § 9-1103 requires erosion and sediment control best management practices on every site and a formal SWP3, reviewed within 14 days, once that acreage threshold is met.
Lawrence Requires an SWP3 for Construction Erosion Control
Significant RestrictionsLawrence City Code § 9-1103
(4)Erosion and sediment control. Best management practices shall be implemented to prevent the release of sediment from construction sites. Disturbed areas shall be minimized, disturbed soil shall be managed and construction site entrances shall be managed to prevent sediment tracking. Excessive sediment tracked onto public streets shall be removed immediately if the sediment presents a traffic...
Flood Zones
In the City of Lawrence, any building permit application must include a site plan marking flood hazard areas, floodways and design flood elevations. Lots zoned RS3 or RS5 mapped as "Zone X, Protected by Levee" face an added stormwater lot grading and drainage plan requirement reviewed by the city stormwater engineer.
Flood Zone Building Rules in Lawrence, KS
Some RestrictionsLawrence City Code § 5-240
(a)The construction documents submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing, to scale, the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades, the proposed finished grades and, as applicable, flood hazard areas, floodways, and design flood elevations. ... (b)For any proposed n...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the City of Lawrence, once the lowest floor of a building in a flood hazard area, including the basement, is placed, the builder must submit an elevation certification under International Building Code section 1612.5 to the building official before any further vertical construction proceeds.
Flood Elevation Certification in Lawrence, KS
Some RestrictionsLawrence City Code § 5-311
In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including the basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation certification required in section 1612.5 of the International Building Code shall be submitted to the building official. In addition to the requirements of this section. Construction in floodplains shall be pursuant to article 12 of the city land developme...