Environmental Rules in Kenosha County, WI (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Kenosha County requires a stormwater permit from the Division of Planning and Development (P&D) before land disturbance of one acre or more, or any project adding 0.5 acres or more of impervious surface, on unincorporated county land. Illicit discharges to the storm drainage system are banned outright.
Kenosha County Stormwater Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMunicipal Code of Kenosha County § 17.06.010 [Code § 17.06-1]
Unless otherwise exempted in this ordinance, a stormwater permit under Sec II. shall be required and all stormwater management and other provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all proposed land development activity that meet any of the following: (a) Is a subdivision plat (b) Any land development activity that may ultimately result in the addition of 0.5 acres or greater of impervious surf...
Flood Zones
Kenosha County regulates development in FEMA-mapped floodplains under County Code § 12.37.010, banning virtually all new structures, dumping, filling, and storage of buoyant or hazardous materials within the floodway and other flood zones. The overlay applies only in unincorporated towns; incorporated cities and villages administer their own floodplain rules.
Kenosha County Floodplain Overlay District
Heavy RestrictionsKenosha County Code § 12.37.010(a), (j)
The FPO Floodplain Overlay District is hereby created pursuant to the mandates of Wisconsin Statute section 87.30 for the purpose of regulating all floodplains where serious flood damage may occur... (j) Structures Prohibited. Except for public water measuring and control facilities, bridges and utilities, NO structures, dwellings, mobile/manufactured homes or shelters shall be located, moved o...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Kenosha County requires the lowest floor of any rebuilt or elevated structure in the floodplain, including the basement, to sit at or above the base flood elevation, and floodproofed structures to reach two feet above the 100-year flood, the flood protection elevation. New structures are barred outright from the FPO Floodplain Overlay District, with no variances allowed. The Department of Planning and Development enforces the standard under county zoning, which governs only unincorporated towns.
Kenosha County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Heavy RestrictionsKenosha County Code § 12.39.100(c), (c)(1)(a)-(b)
(c) As provided under ss.87.30(1d) nonconforming buildings that are substantially damaged or destroyed by a nonflood disaster. “Nonflood disaster” means a fire or an ice storm, tornado, windstorm, mudslide or other destructive act of nature, but excludes a flood. The repair or reconstruction of any such nonconforming building shall be permitted in order to restore it to the size and use in effe...
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