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Sangamon County, IL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 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.

City-specific rules exist: Springfield has its own boat dock permits rules that differ from Sangamon County's county-level regulations. If you live in Springfield, check the city-specific page instead.

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?
Yes: it's exempt only from IDNR's individual floodway permit, not from Sangamon County's floodplain development permit and other ordinance requirements.
What disqualifies a dock from the minor-dock exemption?
Any dock project that involves fill, a grade change, or construction within the normal stream channel loses the exemption.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sangamon County

All Sangamon County rules

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