Environmental Rules in Hamilton County, IN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Hamilton County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Hamilton County bans discharging anything but stormwater into the county's storm drains, regulated drains, or watercourses, with narrow exemptions for things like lawn watering and dechlorinated pool water. The Surveyor's Office enforces it, and violations are a Class A infraction carrying fines up to $2,500 per day.
Stormwater Discharge Ban in Hamilton County
Significant RestrictionsHamilton County Code § 14-25-2-7(a)
Prohibition of illicit discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged directly or indirectly into a municipal storm drainage system, a regulated drain maintained by the Hamilton County Drainage Board, or Watercourses any materials, including but not limited to pollutants or waters containing any pollutants that cause or contribute to a violation of applicable water quality stan...
Erosion Control
Any construction site in unincorporated Hamilton County disturbing an acre or more of land needs an approved stormwater pollution prevention plan and an improvement location permit before dirt moves. The County Surveyor's Office reviews applications within 28 days, requires weekly site self-monitoring, and can fine noncompliant sites up to $1,000 a day.
Erosion & Sediment Control in Hamilton County
Some RestrictionsHamilton County Code § 14-25-3-3(a)
The requirements under this chapter are in compliance with 327 IAC 15-5 (Rule 5) and apply to all persons meeting the requirements of 327 IAC 15-5-2. In general, this chapter requires the control of polluted run-off from construction sites with a land disturbance greater than or equal to one acre, or disturbances of less than one acre of land that are part of a larger common plan of development...
Flood Zones
Hamilton County's floodplain ordinance covers every special flood hazard area shown on the county's November 19, 2014 FEMA flood insurance rate map and bans filling floodplain land outright, with only narrow exceptions for farming, parks, and public roads approved by the Drainage Board.
Floodplain Development Rules in Hamilton County
Significant RestrictionsHamilton County Code § 14-28-3-3(a), (j)
Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all SFHAs and known flood-prone areas within the jurisdiction of the Hamilton County Plan Commission... Floodplain management. The intent of floodplain management is to protect against loss of property, protect human life, and maintain natural areas that help mitigate flooding. Therefore, filling of land in the floodplain of any u...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes and additions in Hamilton County's mapped flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor built two feet above the base flood elevation, a standard the code calls the flood protection grade. Non-residential buildings can flood-proof instead of elevating if a licensed engineer or architect certifies the design.
Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule in Hamilton County
Some RestrictionsHamilton County Code § 14-28-3-5(b)(2)
Residential structures. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor; including basement, at or above the FPG (two feet above the base flood elevation). Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided in...
All Hamilton County ordinances
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