Environmental Rules in St. Joseph County, IN (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
St. Joseph County requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) before any land-disturbing construction of one acre or more breaks ground in the unincorporated county, including smaller lots inside a larger common development. The plan goes to the county engineering department's MS4 Operator in triplicate with a filing fee, and the county has 28 days to accept or reject it before IDEM gets a copy.
St. Joseph County Stormwater Runoff Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Joseph County, IN Code of Ordinances §§ 53.02, 53.03
(A)Any person performing land disturbing activities, as defined herein, in the MS4 designated portions of the county and its partnering entities shall be required to adhere to the provisions set out in this chapter and subject to penalty when necessary to ensure compliance with regulations under this chapter.(B)The requirements under this chapter apply to all persons who do not obtain an indivi...
Erosion Control
St. Joseph County's sediment and erosion control chapter ties every construction site's erosion plan to Indiana's Rule 5 storm water program and the county's own Design Guide and Standards Manual. A violation does not draw an instant fine: the county first issues a written notice and correction deadline, and only escalates to civil penalties and a stop-work order if the site stays out of compliance.
St. Joseph County Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsSt. Joseph County, IN Code of Ordinances §§ 53.01, 53.99
Rule 5 refers to 327 I.A.C. 15-5-1 through 15-5-12, "Rule 5. Storm Water Run-Off Associated with Construction Activity". The rule establishes specific minimum requirements for control of storm water runoff associated with construction activity...Storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) means a sediment and erosion control plan in compliance with Rule 5 and this chapter...(2)First offense m...
Coastal Development
Excavating, filling, or building over, along, or lakeward of the shoreline of a public freshwater lake in unincorporated St. Joseph County requires Indiana DNR approval under the Lakes Preservation Act before the county floodplain administrator will issue a floodplain development permit. The trigger line is the lake's legally established lake level, or the average normal shoreline where none has been set.
St. Joseph County Freshwater Lake Shoreline Rules
Significant RestrictionsSt. Joseph County, Ind., Code of Ordinances § 154.294(A)(5)
(5)Public freshwater lakes. Within the SFHA are public freshwater lakes. Public freshwater lakes are governed by IC 14-26-2 (sometimes referred to as the Lakes Preservation Act) and rules adopted by the Natural Resource Commission at 312 IAC 11-1 through 312 IAC 11-5 to assist with its implementation.(a)Lakes Preservation Act jurisdiction is based on the specific lake's legally established lake...
Flood Zones
Any construction, fill, grading or land-disturbing activity wholly or partly inside a mapped special flood hazard area in unincorporated St. Joseph County needs a floodplain development permit before work starts. Zoning ordinance § 154.293 puts the county building commissioner in charge as floodplain administrator and lists the plans an applicant must submit.
St. Joseph County Floodplain Development Permits
Some RestrictionsSt. Joseph County, Ind., Zoning Ordinance § 154.293(B)
(B)Floodplain development permit and certification requirements. An application for a floodplain development permit shall be made to the floodplain administrator for all development activities located wholly within, partially within, or in contact with an identified special flood hazard area. Such application shall be made by the owner of the property or his/her authorized agent, herein referre...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New or substantially improved homes in St. Joseph County's Zone A and Zone AE flood areas must have their lowest floor, basement included, at or above the flood protection grade: two feet higher than the base flood elevation. Zoning ordinance § 154.294(C)(2)(b) sets that freeboard mandate for residential construction.
St. Joseph County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSt. Joseph County, Ind., Zoning Ordinance § 154.294(C)(2)(b)
(b)In zone A and zone AE, new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor; including basement, at or above the FPG. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with the standards of section 154.294(C)(2)(c). Sho...
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