Madison County, IL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 10,000 sq ft of impervious surface or land disturbance
- Near-water trigger
- Disturbance within 25 feet of a river, lake or wetland
- Small-lot exemption
- One acre or less, or a single new home
- Fill permit fee
- $75 flat fee, level within 30 days
- Fine
- Up to $500/day; fill violations $50-$1,000/day
- Enforcing office
- Building and Zoning Administrator
Summary
In unincorporated Madison County, anyone adding 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, disturbing 10,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards of land, or disturbing land within 25 feet of a river, lake, stream or wetland must get a stormwater development permit from the Building and Zoning Administrator under Chapter 114 before starting work. A single new home on one acre or less is exempt from the full drainage-design sections.
(A) This chapter applies to all new development or redevelopment in the unincorporated areas of the county. (B) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person, firm or corporation, public or private, the state and its agencies or political subdivisions, the United States of America, and its agencies or political subdivisions, any agent, servant, officer or employee of any of the foregoing which meets the following provisions or is otherwise exempted in this chapter, shall commence any development activities without first having obtained a development permit from the Building and Zoning Administrator of the county: ... (1) Any new development or redevelopment contains an area 10,000 or more square feet of total impervious surface (i.e., streets, roof, patio or parking area or any combination thereof);
Full Breakdown
003). A development permit from the Building and Zoning Administrator is required before any project that adds 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, disturbs 10,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards of land, or disturbs land within 25 feet of a river, lake, pond, stream, sinkhole or wetland in conjunction with those thresholds. 025, though a permit is still required. 005 by showing the land's shape, size or physical conditions make full compliance impossible and that the exception will not harm the public welfare or neighboring property. 133. 110.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 114's grading, excavation or drainage requirements is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 per day under § 114.999(A), with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, and the violator must also restore the site to its pre-violation condition or pay for that restoration. Depositing fill without a valid fill permit under §§ 114.125 through 114.137 carries a separate forfeiture of $50 to $1,000 per day plus prosecution costs under § 114.999(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for grading or drainage work in unincorporated Madison County?
Is building a single new home exempt from Madison County's stormwater rules?
What does a Madison County fill permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
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