Environmental Rules in Waukesha, WI (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Waukesha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Waukesha requires a storm water permit from the Director of Public Works before land disturbance meeting size thresholds, including any subdivision plat, new road, or site adding a half acre or more of impervious surface. The rule covers construction and post-construction runoff citywide.
Stormwater Permit Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 32.06
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. ... Unless otherwise exempted in this ordinance, a storm water permit under section 32.07 of this Code shall be required and all storm water management, including storm water management plans, and other provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all proposed land development activity that meet any of the following: Is a subdivision plat; Is a certified survey map or any...
Erosion Control
Waukesha requires an erosion control plan for qualifying land-disturbing construction, capping sediment discharge at 5 tons per acre per year and requiring BMPs to be installed before grading starts. The Director of Public Works reviews and enforces the plan.
Construction Erosion Control Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 32.09
All erosion control plans submitted after 1/1/2013 shall by design, discharge no more than 5 tons per acre per year, or to the maximum extent practicable, of the sediment load carried in runoff from initial grading to final stabilization... ... If BMP(s) cannot be designed and implemented to meet the sediment performance standard, the plan shall include a written, site-specific explanation of w...
Flood Zones
The City of Waukesha participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and administers a Floodplain Zoning Ordinance adopted in 2023 in compliance with Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code Chapter NR 116. The ordinance regulates development in the Fox River floodplain and other Special Flood Hazard Areas mapped on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Districts include the Floodway, Flood-Fringe, and General Floodplain. A floodplain zoning permit is required before any structure, fill, or substantial improvement in the SFHA.
Flood Zone Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. Sec. 87.30(1)(a), (2)(a) - Floodplain Zoning
If any county, city or village does not adopt a reasonable and effective floodplain zoning ordinance within one year after hydraulic and engineering data adequate to formulate the ordinance becomes available, the department shall, upon petition of an interested state agency or a municipality or upon its own motion as soon as practicable and after public hearing, determine and fix by order the l...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantially improved homes in Waukesha's Flood Fringe District must have the lowest floor built to or above the flood protection elevation, which Municipal Code Chapter 24 defines as two feet of freeboard above the regional (base) flood elevation, with fill extending 15 feet past the structure.
Base Flood Elevation Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 24.07(3)(a)(i)
All New Construction, including placement of Manufactured Homes, and Substantial Improvement of residential Structures, shall have the Lowest Floor elevated to or above the flood protection elevation on fill. The fill around the Structure shall be one foot or more above the regional flood elevation extending at least 15 feet beyond the limits of the Structure. No area may be removed from the Fl...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukesha city rules.
Environmental Rules in Waukesha County →