Schaumburg enforces stormwater management regulations to address flooding risks in the Salt Creek watershed. Development and redevelopment projects must manage stormwater runoff through detention, retention, or other best management practices. The Village follows Cook County's Watershed Management Ordinance and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) standards. Residential property owners must maintain drainage patterns and not direct runoff onto neighboring properties.
Schaumburg is located in the Salt Creek watershed, which has a history of flooding events affecting residential properties. The Village enforces stormwater management through its municipal code and compliance with the Cook County Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO). New development and significant redevelopment must provide stormwater detention or retention to control the rate and volume of runoff. The standard typically requires managing the difference in runoff between pre-development and post-development conditions for storms up to the 100-year recurrence interval. Residential property owners adding impervious surfaces (driveways, patios, additions) may trigger stormwater review if the total added impervious area exceeds thresholds set by the WMO, generally around 15,000 square feet for residential projects. Even below thresholds, property owners must maintain existing drainage patterns and may not grade or construct improvements that direct stormwater onto neighboring lots. Best management practices encouraged by the Village include rain gardens, permeable pavers, downspout disconnection, and rain barrels. The Village participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces FEMA floodplain regulations. Properties in the Salt Creek floodplain face additional restrictions. The MWRD provides regional stormwater management and sewer system oversight.
Altering drainage patterns that cause flooding on neighboring properties may result in enforcement action and required corrective grading. Development projects that fail to provide required stormwater detention must retrofit facilities or reduce impervious coverage. Violations of the Cook County WMO may result in stop-work orders and fines. Contact the Village Engineering Division.
Schaumburg, IL
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