Kenosha County, WI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 1+ acre disturbed or 0.5+ acre impervious
- Administering agency
- County Division of Planning & Development
- Base forfeiture
- $100-$1,000 per violation, per day
- Citation cash deposit
- $1,000 (1st), $2,500 (2nd), $5,000 (3rd)
- Territory covered
- Unincorporated county land + county-owned land
- Advance notice required
- 2 working days before starting work
Summary
Kenosha County requires a stormwater permit from the Division of Planning and Development (P&D) before land disturbance of one acre or more, or any project adding 0.5 acres or more of impervious surface, on unincorporated county land. Illicit discharges to the storm drainage system are banned outright.
Unless otherwise exempted in this ordinance, a stormwater permit under Sec II. shall be required and all stormwater management and other provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all proposed land development activity that meet any of the following: (a) Is a subdivision plat (b) Any land development activity that may ultimately result in the addition of 0.5 acres or greater of impervious surfaces or that may result in land disturbing activity of one acre or greater. (c) Involves the construction of any new public or private road
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 37 (2026), passed March 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020). 5 acres or more of impervious surface or disturb one acre or more, construction of a new public or private road, or any activity P&D determines is likely to cause an adverse impact such as chronic wetness on neighboring property. 020). 07). 020 bars illicit connections to the storm drainage system, including connections made before the ordinance existed. 010). 010).
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance is a violation under Section 17.20.010, covering work started before obtaining a stormwater or erosion control permit, failing P&D's required two-day advance notice, skipping required BMP installation, or ignoring a notice of violation. Section 17.21.010 sets a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 per violation plus prosecution costs, with each day of violation a separate offense, and authorizes stop-work orders, permit revocation, injunctions and emergency corrective action billed to the violator. Citations carry a $1,000 cash deposit per violation, rising to $2,500 for a second similar offense and $5,000 for a third within twelve months, with jail up to 30 days in default of payment. Appeals go to the county Board of Appeals per Section 17.22.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kenosha County's stormwater ordinance apply inside the City of Kenosha?
What size project needs a county stormwater permit?
Is dumping into a roadside ditch that drains to a stream illegal in Kenosha County?
What happens if I build without the required stormwater permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha County
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