Wayne County, IN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Section 150.01 designates the County Surveyor, in concert with the County Drainage Board, as the entity that investigates an alleged storm water nuisance (SWN) under I.C. 36-9-28.7. To start that process, an applicant files a request on forms from the Surveyor's office along with a non-refundable $50 application fee covering the preliminary review; missing that fee, or missing it within five business days of filing, is treated as a withdrawal of the request. The applicant is also responsible for every cost the county incurs completing the investigation, including professional fees for engineers, surveyors or the county attorney needed to produce the report required by I.C.

36-9-28.7-9(c). To secure those costs up front, the applicant must deposit $1,000 in cash or a certified bank draft with the Surveyor at filing or within five business days after, and, again, failing to pay that deposit in time is deemed a withdrawal of the application. Both the fee and deposit go into the County General Fund, with the County Auditor tracking charges against the deposit separately. If the investigation costs less than the $1,000 deposit, the county refunds the difference along with its final report; if costs exceed the deposit, the applicant must pay the excess, and the county will withhold the report until every additional cost is paid in full. The ordinance was adopted as Ord. 2017-017 on October 9, 2017.