Winnebago County, IL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- grading, clearing, excavating, filling
- Erosion plan trigger
- 1+ acre disturbed
- Permit term (minor)
- up to 2 years
- Permit term (major)
- up to 3 years
- Penalty
- $25–$500 per day
Summary
Winnebago County requires a surface water management permit before any grading, clearing, excavating, or filling on unincorporated land covered by the ordinance.
Required. A surface water management permit shall be required before beginning or continuing any land disturbing activity or development if such activity is subject to any of the provisions of this article. ... Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person shall commence or perform any land disturbing activity, including but not limited to clearing, grading, stripping, excavating, or filling of land which meets the following provisions without having first obtained approval for a complete set of engineering drawings, including a detailed erosion and sediment control plan.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
The county's Surface Water Management Ordinance requires a permit before beginning or continuing any land disturbing activity or development, including clearing, grading, stripping, excavating, or filling. Projects disturbing an acre or more, or activity that could discharge sediment into a stormwater conveyance system, must submit engineering drawings and an erosion and sediment control plan meeting Illinois Urban Manual standards. Permit terms run up to two years for minor developments and three years for major developments, tied to the building permit, with extensions available. The county engineer administers the program and can waive fees for other government agencies' applications.
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit or violating its terms can bring a stop-work order, permit suspension or revocation, a required after-the-fact permit, forced site restoration, and a petty-offense fine of $25 to $500 per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Winnebago County require a grading permit?
What size project triggers an erosion control plan?
What happens if I grade land without a permit in Winnebago County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
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