Environmental Rules in Kentucky (2026)
23 rules on the books across Kentucky, 6 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Stormwater Management
Requirements for managing rainwater runoff on your property, including retention basins, permeable surfaces, and drainage plans.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsKentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet administers the Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for…
Read full rule →Daviess County
Significant RestrictionsDaviess County's Chapter 51 stormwater ordinance bans dumping pollutants, yard waste, and debris into storm drains and…
Read full rule →Boone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, stormwater, roof runoff, and groundwater drainage may not be routed into the…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsNew construction or grading in any Campbell County zone that requires site plan review must show the site's full storm…
Read full rule →Kenton County
Some RestrictionsAny driveway or entrance connecting to a Kenton County road must meet the drainage standards in Code § 95.11: an…
Read full rule →Lexington
Some RestrictionsHigh-risk industrial and commercial facilities in Lexington-Fayette must file a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsMSD holds exclusive jurisdiction over public storm drainage in Jefferson County, requires a permit before anyone alters…
Read full rule →Erosion Control
Rules to prevent soil erosion during construction and landscaping, including required sediment barriers and ground cover standards.
Boone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, soil erosion on subdivision grading work and on individual-lot building…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsAny excavation or soil-moving project in unincorporated Campbell County must plan and apply erosion and sedimentation…
Read full rule →Daviess County
Some RestrictionsDaviess County bars construction on any lot until an excavation, cut or fill permit is obtained, and requires erosion…
Read full rule →Kenton County
Some RestrictionsKenton County will not issue a right-of-way grading or excavation permit under Code § 95.06(C) if the work "will create…
Read full rule →Lexington
Some RestrictionsAnyone clearing, grading, excavating or filling 5,000 square feet or more of land in Lexington-Fayette, or any acreage…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires a Metropolitan Sewer District site disturbance permit before any clearing, grading, or…
Read full rule →Flood Zones
Building requirements for properties in FEMA flood zones, including elevation standards, flood insurance mandates, and construction limits.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsKentucky requires state approval before any construction, fill, or obstruction within the 100-year floodplain or stream…
Read full rule →Boone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, anyone building or developing land inside a mapped special flood hazard area…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County requires a development permit before any construction, fill, grading, or other development activity…
Read full rule →Daviess County
Some RestrictionsDaviess County committed by resolution to enforce land-use and control measures in flood hazard areas so residents can…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires a floodplain permit from MSD before any development in the local regulatory floodplain, with…
Read full rule →Boat Dock Permits
Permits required to build or modify boat docks, lifts, and davits on waterfront properties, including size limits, setbacks, and environmental reviews.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Limits on how long heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and passenger cars may idle, including bans near schools and residential areas.
Flood Elevation Requirements
FEMA NFIP minimum base flood elevation (BFE) construction standards for properties in mapped flood zones, including freeboard requirements above BFE.
Boone County
Some RestrictionsBoone County, Kentucky's Code § 151.31 sets the county's freeboard standard: new or substantially improved residential…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsNew construction and substantial improvements in Campbell County's special flood hazard areas must have the lowest…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires new and substantially improved buildings in the floodplain to have their lowest floor…
Read full rule →