Dearborn County, IN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 94 applies to all land-disturbing activities on land within the boundaries and jurisdiction of the county, and to sites that need any other local, state or federal permit. Agricultural land-disturbing activities are exempt. The definition of land-disturbing activity is broad: any man-made change of the land surface, including removing cover, excavating, filling, transporting and grading. Construction of farm dwellings, barns, sheds and other structures is carved out of the agricultural exemption.

Section 94.06 sets the working rules for every site. Erosion control measures go in before any land-disturbing activity starts. Sediment-laden water leaving the site must be detained. Water may not be discharged in a way that causes erosion at or downstream of the point of discharge. Any access that crosses a natural watercourse, ditch, drainage easement or swale needs a culvert of appropriate size or a low water crossing that does not impede flow. All storm drain inlets must be protected against sedimentation. The owner must maintain the measures until the entire site is stabilized. Section 94.05(D) adds that provision should be made for the increased runoff from impervious areas during and after development.

Enforcement runs through the Building Commissioner. Under section 94.98, erosion control inspection is performed with each building inspection, and a first violation draws a yellow Rejected tag that sets a corrective time frame and lists the phone number of the county Soil and Water Conservation District. A District representative investigates, sends recommendations to the Building Commissioner and the owner, and a follow-up inspection decides compliance. Continued non-compliance after the second inspection brings a citation.

Two separate drainage procedures sit in Chapter 37. Section 37.17 lets a person file a request with the County Surveyor to investigate a storm water nuisance when the landowner will not remove it, with a $50 filing fee. Section 37.18 lets a person petition the Dearborn County Drainage Board to remove an obstruction from a drain or natural surface watercourse, also with a $50 filing fee. Forms are available at the Dearborn County Surveyor's Office.