Environmental Rules in Black Hawk County, IA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New subdivisions in unincorporated Black Hawk County must provide adequate storm sewers and inlets, protect natural waterways, and route all stormwater facilities through County Engineer and Board of Supervisors approval under BHCC Section 17.15.050(C). Developers must also dedicate a stormwater or drainage easement of at least 30 feet wherever a subdivision is crossed by a watercourse, channel or stream.
Black Hawk County Subdivision Stormwater Rule
Some RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code §§ 17.15.020(B)(10)(b), 17.15.050(C)
b. Whenever a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, channel, drainageway or stream, a stormwater easement or drainage easement may be required. The width of such easement shall be adequate for the anticipated drainage but not less than 30 feet and shall be shown on the plat. ... C. Storm Drainage. 1. Adequate storm sewers and inlets shall be provided where necessary. 2. Natural waterways s...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Black Hawk County splits its floodplain into four overlay sub-districts, Floodway, Floodway Fringe, General Floodplain and Shallow Flooding, each with its own permitted uses; the Floodway sub-district bans mobile homes and any structure meant for human habitation outright.
Floodplain Zoning Districts, Black Hawk County IA
Significant RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code § 18.60.020(A), (C)(1)
It is the intent of this section to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by minimizing those flood losses described in Chapter 18.55 BHCC, findings of fact, with provisions designed to: ... 3. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flood or which cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities; ... 1. Floodway District ...
Boat Dock Permits
In the floodplain districts of unincorporated Black Hawk County, Iowa, a boat dock placed on any river or stream (other than a lake) needs approval from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources before it goes in, unless it is a nonfloating dock the Iowa Conservation Commission has already exempted. The county's zoning code lists this among the developments needing state sign-off alongside any county floodplain permit.
Black Hawk County Boat Dock DNR Approval Rule
Significant RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code § 18.110.050(J)
In addition to the variance and special permit (conditional uses), approval by the Department of Natural Resources is required for, but not limited to, the following types of projects: ... J. Boat docks located on any river or stream (other than a lake) other than exempted nonfloating boat docks permitted by the Iowa Conservation Commission.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New or substantially improved buildings in the county's Floodway Fringe, General Floodplain and Shallow Flooding overlay districts must have their lowest floor elevated at least three feet above the 100-year flood level, with an engineered floodproofing alternative for nonresidential buildings.
Base Flood Elevation Rules, Black Hawk County IA
Some RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code § 18.60.020(C)(2)(c)(ii), (iii), (ix)
New or Substantially Improved Residential Structures. New or substantially improved residential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basements) elevated a minimum of three feet above the 100-year flood level. ... All new or substantially improved nonresidential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated a minimum of three feet above the 100-year flood leve...
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