Jackson County, MO Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- Unincorporated Jackson County only
- Design standard
- APWA Kansas City Metro Chapter Standards
- Drainage study
- Required for most non-single-family projects
- Owner duty
- Keep drainageways clear of debris
- Enforcer
- UDC Director
Summary
Unincorporated Jackson County requires stormwater systems to meet APWA design standards, and property owners must keep drainage facilities clear and unobstructed.
e. Stormwater Facility Management.
1. Stormwater facilities shall be maintained to prevent retention of water on site except in designated retention ponds.
2. Landscaping and storage shall be maintained to prevent soil erosion or blockage of drainageways.
3. Property owners are responsible for removal of debris from stormwater conveyances and facilities on their property.
4. No fence, berm or structure shall interfere with drainage patterns unless approved by the Director or part of a Soil Conservation Service project.
f. Floodplain/Inundation Management.
1. Scope of Floodplain/Inundation Management. The provisions of this sub- section shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Jackson County identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) or Floodway Maps as promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Sni-a-bar Inundation Map and determined to be within the FW, FF, and SBI districts as defined in this unified development code.
2. Disclaimer of Liability. The provisions of this sub-section do not imply or
Full Breakdown
The Unified Development Code's stormwater management provisions apply to unincorporated Jackson County. New development must follow APWA Kansas City Metro Chapter standards for stormwater structures and piping, and most non-residential projects need a professional engineer's drainage study before permitting. Property owners bear ongoing duties: keep facilities free of standing water outside designated ponds, control erosion, remove debris from conveyances, and never install a fence, berm or structure that blocks drainage without Director approval. Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown and Grandview enforce their own separate stormwater codes.
Violations & Fines
The Director can require reinstallation or correction of noncompliant stormwater facilities and can withhold or revoke building/construction approvals until drainage requirements are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Kansas City?
Can I put a fence across a drainage swale on my unincorporated lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
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