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Environmental Rules in Union, NY (2026)

5 verified environmental rules for Union, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Stormwater Management

Town of Union Code § 171-7 adds postconstruction stormwater runoff controls to the SWPPP when a project discharges to an impaired water, disturbs five or more acres, or disturbs between one and five acres, with single-family homes and agricultural sites excluded from the last group. Chapter 102 separately requires a permit before anyone fills or redirects a drain, ditch or stream in the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City.

Town of Union Stormwater and Drainage Management Rules

Some Restrictions

Town of Union Code § 171-7

(2) Land development activities as defined in § 171-6 of this chapter and meeting Condition A, B or C below shall also include water quantity and water quality controls (postconstruction stormwater runoff controls) as set forth in Section B(3) below as applicable: (a) Condition A: Stormwater runoff from land development activity(ies) discharging a pollutant of concern to either an impaired wate...

Erosion Control

Chapter 171 of the Town of Union Code requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan with erosion and sediment controls for land development activity, meaning one acre or more of disturbance or a smaller disturbance within a larger common plan. Under § 171-9A a qualified professional inspects controls every seven days and sediment is removed at a 50% capacity loss. It applies in the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City.

Town of Union Construction Erosion and Sediment Control

Some Restrictions

Town of Union Code § 171-9

A. Maintenance and inspection during construction. (1) The applicant or developer of the land development activity shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the applicant or developer to achieve compliance with the conditions of this chapter. Sediment shall be removed from sedim...

Flood Zones

In the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City, any use in an area of special flood hazard other than a short list of low-damage uses needs a special permit from the Planning Board, plus a development permit before construction starts. Floodway encroachments are prohibited unless a technical evaluation shows no increase in flood levels.

Town of Union NY Floodplain Development Rules

Significant Restrictions

Town of Union Code § 121-10.2

A. All uses within areas of special flood hazard other than those specified in § 121-10.1 are permitted only after the issuance of a special permit by the Town of Union Planning Board, as provided in Article 66 of Chapter 300 of this Code. Uses allowed by special permit shall be determined by the nature and location of the applicant's proposal. Therefore: (1) The applicant shall submit a develo...

Vehicle Idling Restrictions

In the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City, Town of Union Code § 300-40.20(D) limits idling of vehicles at transportation or freight terminal facilities to five minutes in any sixty-minute period. The exceptions are mechanical or electrical operations and emergency operations, and facility owners are responsible for compliance.

Town of Union NY Freight Terminal Idling Limit

Some Restrictions

Town of Union Code § 300-40.20(D)

D. Idling of vehicles shall be limited to five minutes in any sixty-minute period, unless required for mechanical or electrical operations and not for cabin comfort or nonessential equipment or for emergency operations. Facility owners shall be responsible for compliance (Ref: Environmental Conservation Law, Part 217-3).

Flood Elevation Requirements

In the Town of Union outside the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City, new residential buildings in the flood-fringe must have the lowest floor, basement included, at least two feet above base flood elevation. Nonresidential buildings need one foot above, or floodproofing to one foot above. Fill must extend 15 feet past the building.

Town of Union NY Flood-Fringe Elevation Rules

Some Restrictions

Town of Union Code § 121-10.4

(2) Buildings, provided that: (a) The elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new residential construction or substantial improvements to existing residential buildings within the flood-fringe area shall be at least two feet higher than the base flood elevation. (b) The elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new nonresidential buildings or substantial improv...

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