Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

Stormwater Management

Stormwater management involves measures taken to reduce or minimize the negative impacts of runoff of rainwater or melted snow from land disturbing and land development activities. Uncontrolled stormwater runoff can have adverse impacts on land and water. To reduce these impacts, Dane County Ordinance Chapter 14 (PDF) requires a permit for specific land disturbing activities that occur in Dane County. General permit information links:

Do I Need a Permit? - a flow chart explaining when a permit is required or not
Types of Permits & Plans - common Land & Water Resources Department-related permits
Permit Information Sheet (PDF) - common Water Resource Engineering Division permits

Permit Information

A Stormwater Management Permit is required for any of the following:

Any development after August 22, 2001 that results in the cumulative addition of 20,000 square feet of impervious surface to the site
Recording a subdivision plat
Recording a certified survey map intended for commercial or industrial use
Redeveloping more than 4,000 square feet of an existing commercial, industrial, institutional or multifamily-use site
Other land development activities that the local approval authority determines may significantly increase runoff, flooding, soil erosion, water pollution or property damage, or significantly impact a lake, stream, or wetland area

Permit Application and Tools

Stormwater Management (PDF)

Permit Fees Land & Water Viewer Webpage Thermally Sensitive Areas & Model

The Land & Water Viewer online mapping application can be used to create a map(s) to submit with your permit application. The viewer webpage also includes links to tutorial videos.

Checks should be made out to “Dane County Treasurer."

Additional Forms

Additional forms that may need to be submitted with your permit application(s):

Stormwater Maintenance Agreement Affidavit (PDF)
Release of Restriction Form (PDF)
Applicant Authorization Form (PDF)
Stormwater Management As-Built Certification (PDF)
- Wet/Dry Basin Checklist (PDF)
- Bioretention/Infiltration Checklist (PDF)
Information on whether your site needs to meet redevelopment or new development standards (PDF)
Recommended construction practices for infiltration facilities (PDF)
Memo to Chapter 14 Permit Applicants explaining Financial Security Instrument requirement (PDF)
Example Format for Letter of Credit for Chapter 14 Permit Applicants (PDF)
Example Format for Letter of Credit for Chapter 14 Permit Applicants (Word)
Example Format for Notarized Statement Authorizing an Applicant (PDF)