Environmental Rules in Kankakee County, IL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Kankakee County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Kankakee County's stormwater management ordinance keeps surface water on its existing natural course in unincorporated areas unless a grading and drainage permit changes it, and bars any release into the storm drainage system that is not clean stormwater. Larger disturbances, over 5,000 square feet or an acre depending on class, need a permit from the county planning department before work starts.
Kankakee County Stormwater Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code §§ 109-130, 109-133
Surface water shall be allowed to travel its existing or natural course unless changes are allowed by means of a grading and drainage permit or grading and drainage plans approved by the appropriate official ... No person shall release or cause to be released into the storm drainage system any discharge that is not composed entirely of uncontaminated stormwater, except as allowed in listed exem...
Erosion Control
Before grading starts on a construction site in unincorporated Kankakee County, § 109-351 requires silt fences, sediment traps or similar BMPs to keep sediment on site. Disturbed ground must be stabilized with vegetation within 14 days of the last disturbance, and the temporary controls stay in place, fully maintained, until permanent vegetation takes hold.
Kankakee County Construction Erosion Control Rule
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code § 109-351
Appropriate BMPs such as silt fences, diversions, sediment traps, or other appropriate sediment or runoff control measures shall be implemented to prevent the release of sediment from construction sites prior to the commencement of grading activities. ... Disturbed areas sh ... all be stabilized with approved vegetative measures within 14 calendar days following the end of active disturbance or...
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Kankakee County no one may begin construction, filling, grading, or any other development in the mapped floodplain without a development permit from the county planning director. The planning director reviews site drawings, grade elevations and building locations, and will not approve a project unless it also holds every required federal and state permit.
Kankakee County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code § 109-53
No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body not exempted by state law shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the planning director, or his designee. The planning director, or his designee, shall not issue a development permit if the proposed development does not meet the requirements of this article.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Kankakee County, any new building in the mapped floodplain must be protected below the flood protection elevation (FPE), which the code defines as the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. Section 109-81 sets the trigger points and lets builders comply by elevating on fill, on open foundations, or, for nonresidential buildings, through certified dry floodproofing.
Kankakee County Flood Protection Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code §§ 109-20, 109-81
FPE or flood protection elevation means the elevation of the base flood plus one foot of freeboard at any given location in the floodplain. ... In addition to the damage prevention requirements of section 109-80, all buildings to be located in the floodplain shall be protected from flood damage below the FPE. ... The lowest floor (including basement) shall be one foot above the flood protection...
All Kankakee County ordinances
See every category we cover for Kankakee County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Kankakee County Ordinance Hub →