Environmental Rules in Rochester, NY (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Rochester, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Rochester requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan and City approval for land-disturbance projects of five acres or more, and for one-to-five-acre projects outside single-family and farm construction, under City Code § 39-442. A licensed engineer must sign the plan before any building or grading permit issues.
Rochester Stormwater Permit Required Over One Acre
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 39-442(A)
A. This Part shall be applicable to land disturbance activities, as defined in § 39-441, and those activities meeting Condition (1), (2), (3) or (4) below shall include water quantity and water quality controls (post-construction stormwater runoff controls) as set forth in § 39-447 as applicable unless eligible for an exemption or granted a waiver by the City of Rochester in accordance with § 3...
Erosion Control
Rochester requires a site preparation permit before grading, filling, stripping vegetation or excavating beyond set thresholds, with a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) mandatory on sites disturbing an acre or more. The Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development administers the program under Chapter 39, Article IV.
Rochester Site Preparation & Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Rochester § 39-405(A)
None of the following activities shall be commenced until a permit has been issued pursuant to the provisions of this part: (1) Site preparation within wetlands. (2) Site preparation on slopes which exceed 1 1/2 feet of vertical rise for each 10 feet of horizontal distance, as determined by a topographical survey. (3) Site preparation within the floodplain of any watercourse. (4) Excavation whi...
Flood Zones
Any construction, fill, excavation or other development inside a mapped area of special flood hazard in Rochester requires a floodplain development permit from the city's Local Administrator before work starts. Applications need scaled plans showing elevations and structures, plus a $250 fee. Building without one is unlawful under Article XIX of the City Charter.
Rochester Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsRochester City Charter Art. XIX, § 19-4B(1) (Flood Damage Prevention)
Purpose. A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in this community for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and insuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding. It shall be unlawful to undertake any development...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Rochester's A1-A30, AE and AH flood zones must have the top of the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to at least two feet above the base flood elevation, under City Charter Article XIX, § 19-5C(1)(a). Zone AO and coastal-area sites follow their own freeboard formulas in the same section.
Rochester Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsRochester City Charter Art. XIX, § 19-5C(1)(a) (Flood Damage Prevention)
Within Zones A1-A30, AE, AH if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the top of the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation. Within Zones AH adequate drainage paths are required to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
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