Environmental Rules in Howard County, IN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Howard County, new development or redevelopment disturbing one or more acres must limit post-construction runoff to 0.3 cubic feet per second per acre for the 100-year storm. The County Department of Storm Water Management reviews permits, and the Stormwater Board can fine violators up to $7,500 per day under Howard County Code Chapter 154.
Howard County Stormwater Runoff Rules
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code §§ 154.01(C), 154.03(A), 154.99(A)
(C) Applicability. The performance standards herein must be met at all new development and redevelopment areas that disturb one or more acres of land or disturbances of less than one acre of land that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale if the larger common plan will ultimately disturb one or more acres of land within the county area. ... (A) Allowable storm water releas...
Erosion Control
In unincorporated Howard County, land-disturbing construction that uncovers one or more acres in the county's MS4 Area needs a site development permit approved by the MS4 Operator, backed by a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. Violations bring a 15-day correction notice, then Drainage Board fines up to $2,500 under Howard County Code Chapter 156.
Howard County Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code §§ 156.10(A), 156.21(B), 156.22(B)
(A) (1) For land-disturbing activity within the MS4 Area uncovering one or more acres of land, no developer shall be granted a site development permit without the approval by the MS4 Operator of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. ... State that such violation must be corrected within 15 days of the date of notice or further action may be taken, including possible fines. ... If the Dra...
Flood Zones
Anyone developing land within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) in unincorporated Howard County must get an improvement location permit from the Zoning Administrator before starting, under Chapter 151. The Zoning Administrator routes floodway projects to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and cannot issue a permit that fails any requirement of the chapter.
Howard County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 151.06
(A) No person, firm, corporation or governmental body not exempted by state law shall commence any development in the SFHA without first obtaining an improvement location permit from the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue an improvement location permit if the proposed development does not meet all of the requirements of this chapter. ... (5) Elevation of the top ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Howard County's flood hazard areas, buildings must be protected to the Flood Protection Grade, defined in § 151.03 as the regulatory flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard. Section 151.08 requires the lowest floor, including any basement, to sit at or above that elevation for covered new construction and substantial improvements.
Howard County Flood Protection Grade Freeboard
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code §§ 151.03, 151.05, 151.08
FLOOD PROTECTION GRADE (FPG). The elevation of the regulatory flood plus two feet at any given location in the SFHA. ... (B) The regulatory flood elevation and floodway limits for the SFHAs of Wildcat Creek, Kokomo Creek, Little Wildcat Creek and Little Wildcat Creek West shall be as delineated on the 100-year flood profiles in the Flood Insurance Study of the county dated January 16, 1981, a...
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