Environmental Rules in Porter County, IN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Porter County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Porter County's stormwater ordinance, Chapter 20 of the county code, bars illicit discharges and illegal connections into the county-controlled storm drainage system, gives MS4 inspectors warrantless inspection authority, and fines violators $250 per day per violation after a 72-hour warning under §§ 20-36 and 20-42.
Porter County Stormwater Discharge Ban
Significant RestrictionsPorter County, IN Code of Ordinances §§ 20-36(a), 20-42(b)
Applicability and exemptions. This article shall apply to all discharges entering the stormwater drainage system under the control of the county, regardless of whether the discharge originates from developed or undeveloped lands, and regardless of whether the discharge is generated from an active construction site or a stabilized site. These discharges include flows from direct connections to t...
Erosion Control
Porter County requires an Erosion Control Permit under UDO Section 7.15 (EC-01) before any land-disturbing activity of 10,000 square feet or more begins, whether for a subdivision, commercial project, or a new single-family home. Sites next to a storm sewer inlet, watercourse, or wetland, or with a slope of 6 percent or greater, lose the small-project exemption regardless of size.
Porter County Erosion Control Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO §7.15 EC-01(B)-(C): Erosion Control Standards; General
B. Applicability: 1. Land-disturbing Activity: Section EC: Erosion Control Standards shall apply to all land-disturbing activities within the unincorporated area of Porter County, Indiana. 2. Exceptions: a. Minor Projects: Section EC: Erosion Control Standards shall not apply to minor projects where land-disturbing activities involve less than 10,000 square feet, excepting the following: i. Whe...
Flood Zones
Porter County requires a Floodplain Development Permit before any construction, filling, or land alteration inside a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. UDO § 5.19 FP-01(B)(3)-(4) bars all development in the SFHA until the permit is obtained and the structure fully complies with the county's flood-hazard-reduction standards.
Porter County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsPorter County UDO § 5.19 FP-01(B)(3)-(4)
3. Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit: A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of §FP: Floodplain Standards prior to the commencement of any development activities in areas of special flood hazard. 4. Compliance: No structure shall hereafter be located, extended, converted or structurally altered within the SFHA without full compliance wi...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New or substantially improved residential structures in Porter County's flood hazard areas must set the lowest floor, including the basement, at or above the Flood Protection Grade, defined as two feet above the base flood elevation, under UDO § 5.19 FP-01(D)(2)(b).
Porter County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsPorter County UDO § 5.19 FP-01(D)(2)(b)
b. Residential Construction: 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 (2) 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 pr...
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