Environmental Rules in Elkhart County, IN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Elkhart County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Elkhart County's Uniform Requirements for Post Construction Stormwater Management cover any unincorporated property subject to a post-construction stormwater pollution prevention plan under the state's Construction Stormwater General Permit, plus new gas stations and MS4 fueling sites, but exclude land inside the City of Elkhart, City of Goshen or City of Nappanee. Owners must record a maintenance agreement with the County Recorder, inspect facilities at least annually, and face civil fines up to $2,500 per day for violations.
Elkhart County Post-Construction Stormwater Rules
Some RestrictionsElkhart County Code of Ordinances § 154.026
(A) Applicability. Except for real estate located within the City of Elkhart, the City of Goshen or the City of Nappanee, any and all real estate located within the county subject to a post construction stormwater pollution prevention plan as required by Section 2.0 of the CSGP will be governed by the terms and provisions of this subchapter unless exempt under this subchapter. Additionally, all...
Erosion Control
Elkhart County requires a stormwater clearance from the Soil and Water Conservation District before any building, construction, driveway or right-of-way permit issues for work that disturbs an acre or more, or a smaller lot that is part of a larger common development plan reaching that acreage. Clearances track the state's Construction Stormwater General Permit, expire every December 31, and carry a $100-per-acre plan review fee plus civil fines up to $2,500 for violations.
Elkhart County Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsElkhart County Code of Ordinances § 154.002
(A) Stormwater clearances. (1) No person shall be granted a building permit, construction permit, driveway permit, right-of-way permit or other license or authorization issued by the county for construction activities that result in a land disturbing activity to take place in the incorporated and unincorporated areas within the county without first having obtained a stormwater clearance from th...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
In unincorporated Elkhart County, idling a tractor within 500 feet of a residence between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is a noise-code violation on its own, no complaint or decibel reading needed, under § 94.03(D)(2).
Elkhart County Tractor Idling Restrictions
Light RestrictionsElkhart County Code of Ordinances § 94.03(D)(2)
(D) Additional prohibitions unrelated to termination request or dBA level. ... (2) The idling of a tractor as defined by I.C. 9-13-2-180, as from time to time amended, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. within 500 feet of any residence.
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