Environmental Rules in Summit County, OH (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Summit County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Summit County's Comprehensive Storm Water Management chapter requires any development or redevelopment in the unincorporated county to control runoff volume, rate and quality. The County Drainage Engineer reviews plans, and storm water ponds and conveyance systems must be designed to prevent structure flooding during a 100-year, 24-hour storm event.
Summit County Stormwater Rules Require 100-Year Design
Some RestrictionsSummit County Codified Ordinances Sec. 943.09
The storm water system, including water management practices for storage, treatment and control, and conveyance facilities, shall be designed to prevent structure flooding during the 100-year, 24-hour storm event; to maintain predevelopment runoff patterns, flows, and volumes... All storm water pond and storm conveyance designs must provide a minimum of one (1) foot freeboard above the projecte...
Erosion Control
Summit County requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for any project in the unincorporated county that disturbs one acre or more of soil, from subdivisions to farm building activity, under Chapter 941. The Summit Soil and Water Conservation District reviews and inspects every plan and can issue a stop-work order and pursue fines for a violation.
Summit County Requires Erosion Control Plans to Build
Significant RestrictionsSummit County Codified Ordinances §941.05(a)
This Chapter requires that a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) be developed and implemented for all soil disturbing activities disturbing one or more acres of total land or will disturb less than an acre of land but are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb one or more acres of land in the unincorporated areas of the County of Summit and on ...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Summit County requires a floodplain development permit before any construction, filling, grading, or watercourse alteration in a special flood hazard area. The Chief Building Official, acting as Floodplain Administrator, issues permits under Code of Ordinances Chapter 1345, based on the FEMA Flood Insurance Study and Rate Map effective April 19, 2016. Building without one is a first degree misdemeanor.
Summit County Requires Floodplain Development Permits
Some RestrictionsSummit County Code of Ordinances Sec. 1345.03(c)
(c) Floodplain Development Permits. It shall be unlawful for any person to begin construction or other development activity including but not limited to filling, grading, construction, alteration, remodeling, or expanding any structure; or alteration of any watercourse wholly within, partially within or in contact with any identified special flood hazard area, as established in Section 1345....
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Summit County's unincorporated special flood hazard areas, new homes and substantial improvements must have their lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. Where no elevation data exists, structures must clear the highest adjacent natural grade by at least two feet.
Summit County Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsSummit County Code of Ordinances Sec. 1345.04(d)(4)
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. In areas with no elevations specified, the structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade.
Environmental Rules by City in Summit County
1 cities in Summit County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Summit County ordinances
See every category we cover for Summit County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Summit County Ordinance Hub →