Environmental Rules in Madison County, IL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Madison County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Madison County, anyone adding 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, disturbing 10,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards of land, or disturbing land within 25 feet of a river, lake, stream or wetland must get a stormwater development permit from the Building and Zoning Administrator under Chapter 114 before starting work. A single new home on one acre or less is exempt from the full drainage-design sections.
Madison County Stormwater Development Permit
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 114.003
(A) This chapter applies to all new development or redevelopment in the unincorporated areas of the county. (B) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person, firm or corporation, public or private, the state and its agencies or political subdivisions, the United States of America, and its agencies or political subdivisions, any agent, servant, officer or employee of any of the fo...
Erosion Control
Any land divided in unincorporated Madison County must control erosion and sedimentation during grading under County Code § 92.033. Subdividers must limit how long soil sits exposed, use temporary vegetation or mulch on cleared ground, and install sediment basins or silt traps before runoff leaves the site, tied to the county's separate stormwater drainage and sediment control ordinance.
Madison County Erosion, Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 92.033
(4) Erosion control. The design of every subdivision shall be consistent with the natural limitations presented by topography and soil so as to create the least potential for soil erosion. Soil shall be exposed for the shortest feasible period of time. Temporary vegetation or, where appropriate, mulching or other covering shall be used to protect exposed areas. (5) Sedimentation control. Ap...
Flood Zones
Anyone developing land in a mapped floodplain within unincorporated Madison County must first obtain a development permit from the Zoning Administrator under Chapter 94. Critical facilities need a permit before building below the 0.2% annual chance flood elevation. The rule protects the county's National Flood Insurance Program eligibility and applies to new construction, substantial improvements, fill, grading and manufactured homes.
Madison County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 94.05(A)
(1) No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body, not exempted by law, shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the Zoning Administrator. (2) No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body shall commence any development of a critical facility on land below the 0.2% annual chance flood elevation without first obtaining a dev...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Madison County's mapped floodways, a minor boat dock counts as an approved development activity, exempt from the chapter's no-increase-in-flood-heights test, only if it meets the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit Number 5 under § 94.06(A)(4). A dock that does not meet those state conditions still needs its own IDNR/OWR floodway permit or a FEMA map revision before it can be built.
Madison County Floodway Boat Dock Permit
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 94.06(A)(4)
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no development shall be allowed which, acting in combination with existing and anticipated development will cause any increase in flood heights or velocities or threat to public health and safety. The following specific development activities shall be considered as meeting this requirement: ... (4) Minor boat docks meeting the followin...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Madison County, new construction in a mapped floodplain must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, the flood protection elevation set by Chapter 94. The Zoning Administrator issues the development permit and enforces it.
Madison County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code §§ 94.02, 94.03, 94.07(B)(1)(a)
FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION (FPF). The elevation of the base flood plus one foot of freeboard at any given location in the floodplain. ... This chapter's protection standard is the base flood. The best available base flood data are listed below. ... The lowest floor (including basement) ... shall be at or above the FPE.
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