Sangamon County, IL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption trigger
- IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 5
- What's exempted
- Individual IDNR floodway permit only
- Still required
- County floodplain development permit
- Disqualifiers
- Fill, grade change, channel work
Summary
A minor boat dock built in Sangamon County's floodway skips the individual IDNR/OWR permit other work needs if it meets Statewide Permit No. 5 conditions, but it still must satisfy the county's other floodplain-development standards.
The following activities may be constructed without the individual permit required in subsection 16.72.120 (A)(1) in accordance with Statewide Permits issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources provided the activities do not involve placement of fill, change of grade, or construction in the normal channel. Such activities must still meet the other requirements of this ordinance. Rural bridges over streams draining ten to twenty-five square miles meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 2; Barge fleeting facilities meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 3; Aerial utility crossings meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 4; Minor boat docks meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 5; Minor non-obstructive activities meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No 6; Outfall structures and drainage ditch outlets meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 7; Underground pipeline and utility crossings meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 8; Bank stabilization projects meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 9; Accessory structures and additions to existing residential buildings meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 10; and Minor maintenance dredging activities meeting the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 11. (Ord. 8 §3 February 13, 2002; Res. 10, Ex. A (part), March 9, 2004)
Full Breakdown
Sangamon County's floodplain ordinance normally requires an individual Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources permit for anything in the floodway that could raise base flood elevation. Section 16.72.120(B) carves out an exception for minor boat docks: if the dock meets the conditions of IDNR/OWR Statewide Permit No. 5 and doesn't involve fill, grade changes or construction in the normal channel, it can be built without that individual state permit. The dock still has to comply with every other requirement in the ordinance, including the county's own floodplain development permit under Section 16.72.050 before work begins.
Violations & Fines
Building a dock that doesn't qualify for the Statewide Permit No. 5 exemption without the individual IDNR/OWR permit, or without the county's floodplain development permit, exposes the owner to the ordinance's $25-$500 daily fine and possible injunction under Section 16.72.170.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Statewide Permit No. 5 boat dock still need county approval?
What disqualifies a dock from the minor-dock exemption?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sangamon County
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