Madison County, IL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Qualifying activity
- Minor boat docks meeting IDNR/OWR Permit No. 5
- Location
- Mapped floodways in unincorporated Madison County
- Alternative path
- IDNR/OWR jurisdictional-streams permit or FEMA map revision
- May also require
- County development permit under § 94.05
- Fine range
- $50 to $750 per day, per offense
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. 2022-04, passed 7-7-2022
Summary
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.
(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 following conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit Number 5.
Full Breakdown
06 lists thirteen categories of floodway development that Madison County treats as compliant with the chapter's ban on activity that would raise flood heights or velocities, because each matches a corresponding statewide permit issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources (IDNR/OWR). Minor boat docks fall under item (4), tied to IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit Number 5; other listed activities include bridge and culvert crossings (Permit 2), aerial utility crossings (Permit 4) and underground utility crossings (Permit 8), bank stabilization (Permit 9), and minor non-obstructive work such as driveways and light poles (Permit 6).
05 if the dock otherwise qualifies as development in the floodplain. 06(B) if the owner obtains an IDNR/OWR jurisdictional-streams permit, or written confirmation none is required, or if FEMA approves a revision to the regulatory flood map and base flood elevation. 06(A)(13).
Violations & Fines
A boat dock or other floodway project built without meeting either the listed statewide permit conditions or the alternative approval path in § 94.06(B) is a violation of Chapter 94. The Zoning Administrator investigates and gives written notice; an owner who does not fix the violation within ten days faces a Circuit Court injunction and a fine of $50 to $750 per day under § 94.99, plus a recorded notice of violation on the property's title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a state permit to build a boat dock in a Madison County floodway?
Does meeting the state boat dock permit replace the county development permit?
What if my dock doesn't meet IDNR/OWR Permit Number 5?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
Compare Madison County to another location·View the Illinois environmental rules overview
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