Environmental Rules in Vanderburgh County, IN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Any new development, redevelopment or land-disturbing activity in unincorporated Vanderburgh County that adds more than 10,000 square feet of impervious surface must submit an engineered drainage plan to the County Drainage Board through the County Surveyor's office before construction.
Vanderburgh County Stormwater Drainage Control
Significant RestrictionsVanderburgh County Code § 13.04.010(A)
A. Drainage Plan Required. It is the policy of the board of county commissioners of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, hereinafter referred to as the commissioners, that an engineered drainage plan be submitted to the Vanderburgh County drainage board, hereinafter referred to as the drainage board, for any new development, redevelopment, new construction, addition to existing construction, or othe...
Erosion Control
Vanderburgh County Code Chapter 15.44 bars any land disturbing activity in the unincorporated county until erosion and sediment control measures are installed and maintained. It applies outside Evansville and Darmstadt, exempts agricultural land disturbance, and is enforced by the County Engineering Department's authorized agents with escalating civil penalties.
Vanderburgh County Erosion and Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsVanderburgh County Code § 15.44.050
1. No property owner shall begin, cause to begin, or continue any land disturbing activity prior to installing the required erosion and sediment control practices. 2. During construction activity at a site, erosion and sediment control measures necessary to meet the requirements of this ordinance shall be maintained, at all times. 3. On-site sediment shall be detained-on-site by erosio...
Flood Zones
Vanderburgh County requires a Floodplain Development Permit before any grading, filling, construction or structural alteration in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. The Building Commission's Floodplain Administrator reviews every application against the county's Flood Insurance Rate Map dated January 30, 2021.
Vanderburgh County Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsVanderburgh County, IN Code of Ordinances § 18.04.030(C), (D)
C. Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit. A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance prior to the commencement of any Development activities in areas of special flood hazard. D. Compliance. (1) No Structure shall hereafter be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered within the SFHA without full compliance with the...
Boat Dock Permits
A dock for noncommercial watercraft is allowed countywide as a zoning accessory use, but Section 17.12.070(C) caps how far it can extend: no more than ten feet beyond the waterway, property, or bulkhead line, or ten percent of the waterway's width, whichever limit is smaller.
Vanderburgh County Dock Projection Limit
Some RestrictionsVanderburgh County Code § 17.12.070(C)
C. Docks for noncommercial watercraft are permitted as an accessory use. A dock may not project more than ten (10) feet beyond the waterway, property, or bulkhead line, or ten (10) percent of the width of the waterway, whichever is less.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Vanderburgh County sets its Flood Protection Grade at the FEMA base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard, and new or substantially improved structures in Zone A or Zone AE must have their lowest floor built at or above that grade.
Vanderburgh County Freeboard: BFE Plus 2 Feet
Significant RestrictionsVanderburgh County, IN Code of Ordinances § 18.04.020; § 18.04.050(C)(2)(b)
“Flood Protection Grade (FPG)” is the BFE plus two (2) feet at any given location in the SFHA. (See “Freeboard”) ... 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 unim...
Environmental Rules by City in Vanderburgh County
1 cities in Vanderburgh County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Vanderburgh County ordinances
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