Davis County, UT Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Critical flood area default
- 100 feet from a designated drainage channel
- Development permit needed
- before recording a subdivision plat in the area
- Construction permit needed
- before construction begins in the area
- Enforcing office
- Davis County Flood Control Department
- Appeal board
- 5 members, 3 must be qualified by training
- Unpermitted dumping notice
- 10 days to remove before county acts
Summary
Unincorporated Davis County requires a development permit before recording any subdivision plat, and a construction permit before any building work begins, inside a critical flood area: land within 100 feet of a designated creek, canal or drainage channel unless the official flood control map sets a different boundary. Both permits come from the Flood Control Department.
Before any subdivision plat which contains property located within the critical flood area is recorded, a development permit shall be obtained from Davis County. As defined in this section "critical flood area" is the area designated on the official flood control base map, or where no area is defined on the official flood control base map, it is the area within one hundred (100) feet of any of the drainage systems or facilities identified in Section 12.04.010. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Davis County Flood Control Department... Before any construction begins within any "critical flood area," as that term is defined in Section 12.04.020, a construction permit shall be obtained from Davis County. Application for a construction permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Davis County Flood Control Director and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities, and the location of the foregoing.
Full Breakdown
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Violations & Fines
Dumping garbage, brush, dirt or any other material in a critical flood area without a permit is unlawful (Section 12.04.060). The county can remove obstructions from the designated channels itself, but must first give written notice; if the violator does not clear the channel within ten days, the county removes it and recovers its costs and expenses from the responsible party, or sues to abate the nuisance (Section 12.04.080).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Davis County require a permit to build near a creek?
What happens if I don't get a permit before dumping fill in a drainage channel?
Who decides an appeal of a flood control permit denial?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis County
Compare Davis County to another location·View the Utah environmental rules overview
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