Oak Lawn, IL Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine range
- $50–$750 per day, per violation
- Inspection notice window
- 90 days to disconnect illegal lines
- Cost-share reimbursement cap
- up to $5,000 per applicant
- Point-of-sale certificate validity
- valid three years
Summary
Oak Lawn bans routing storm water, ground water or surface drainage into its sanitary sewers; downspouts, footing drains and sump pumps must instead run to the storm sewer or a drainage ditch, with violations fined $50 to $750 per day.
It shall be unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged, directly or indirectly, into the sanitary sewer system of the village any ground waters, surface waters, storm waters or any other extraneous flows.
2. It shall be unlawful to make a connection or to maintain or operate a connection which serves any home, building or any other establishment, premises or facilities, and which contributes, directly or indirectly, to the sanitary sewer of the village, any ground waters, surface waters, storm waters or any other extraneous flows.
C. Certain Drains Considered Illegal Connections: All drains or connections designed or intended to receive and discharge ground waters, surface waters, storm waters and other drainage, shall be considered illegal connections if they discharge directly or indirectly into the sanitary sewer system. Such illegal connections include, but are not limited to, roof drains, downspouts, footing drains, areaway drains, drain tiles (and sump pumps used to collect and discharge same), yard drains, catch basins and inlets, and such connections shall not be allowed to discharge directly or indirectly into the sanitary sewers.
D. Responsibility Of Owner To Maintain Connections To Sanitary Sewer: The proper maintenance and operation of a building service sewer, house connection or sanitary sewer line to the point of connection to the municipal sanitary sewer system shall be the responsibility of the owner of the premises served by
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code § 9-4D-11 makes it unlawful to discharge ground water, surface water or storm water into the sanitary sewer system, whether through a direct connection or an illegal one: the code specifically lists roof drains, downspouts, footing drains, yard drains, catch basins and sump pumps as prohibited connections. Public Works conducts visual inspections and orders illegal connections disconnected within 90 days of notice. Since 2020 the Village also requires a certificate of infiltration and inflow inspection before any property sale or title transfer, valid for three years, plus a cost-share reimbursement program covering up to $5,000 per applicant for downspout and footing-drain disconnection work.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with the connection, disconnection or point-of-sale inspection requirements draws a fine of $50 to $750, with each day of violation a separate offense (§ 9-4D-11(K)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my sump pump to Oak Lawn's sanitary sewer?
Do I need a stormwater inspection before selling my Oak Lawn home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn 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.
Stormwater Management in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle stormwater management.