Rock Island County, IL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 152.001, § 152.020
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Rock Island County only
- Core rule
- No diverting surface water onto a neighbor
- Permit needed for
- Any change to natural drainage course
- Fine range
- $250 to $1,500 per offense
- Appeal window
- 15 days from notice of violation
Summary
In unincorporated Rock Island County, surface water must follow its natural or already-regulated course: no one may force it onto a neighbor's land or block it from draining onto their own property without a grading and drainage permit. The Zoning and Building Director administers the county's stormwater chapter.
(A) Surface water shall be allowed to travel its natural or pre-regulated course unless changes are allowed by means of a grading and drainage permit or grading and drainage plans approved by the Zoning and Building Director, or his or her designee. (B) It shall be unlawful for any person to force surface water off that person's property and onto a neighboring property or to prevent surface water which would have entered that person's property from doing so without approval granted by a grading and drainage permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-1: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-12-A, passed 12-17-2024; and State legislation current through 2024 Illinois Legislative Service, Pamphlet #6).
Full Breakdown
001. Where a proposed development sits within one and one-half miles of a municipality that has its own stormwater ordinance, the Zoning and Building Director can require the developer to follow that municipality's rules instead, or the standards of whichever municipality has claimed the area for future annexation; the county's chapter applies by default only when no such municipal ordinance reaches the site. 020 sets the basic surface water rule: water must be allowed to follow its natural or pre-regulated course unless a grading and drainage permit or approved plan allows a change, and it is unlawful to force surface water onto a neighboring property or to block water that would otherwise flow onto your own land, without that permit.
025 separately ban discharging anything but uncontaminated stormwater into the storm drainage system, listing common pollutants such as lawn chemicals, pet waste, and petroleum products, while carving out routine exemptions like landscape irrigation, air-conditioning condensate, and firefighting flows. 113 for anyone who ignores it.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 152, including the surface-water diversion ban in § 152.020 or the illicit-discharge rules in §§ 152.023 through 152.026, draws a fine of $250 to $1,500 per offense under § 152.999, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately. The county's State's Attorney can also pursue a Circuit Court injunction, and the Director may issue a stop work order or disconnect utility service if the violation poses a health or environmental hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I redirect stormwater runoff onto my neighbor's property in Rock Island County?
Does the county's stormwater ordinance apply inside cities like Rock Island or Moline?
What counts as an illegal discharge into the storm drainage system?
What is the penalty for a stormwater ordinance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Island County
Compare Rock Island County to another location·View the Illinois environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.