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Model Ordinances

Looking for good examples of ordinance language to adapt for your local community? Here you will find model ordinances and coming soon -- real-world ordinances from all over the nation used to better protect the environmental resources of a community. If you've got an innovative, approved ordinance or program that you think others could use, please send us a copy to include in this library.

Tool 3: Post-Construction Stormwater Model Ordinance
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 2008
Model Ordinance Model Ordinance

Provides a MENU of code language for local, regional, and/or state stormwater programs to use to craft or update their ordinances. The ordinance is written so that individual sections can be lifted out and modified to suit individual program needs. Part of the Post-Construction Guidance Manual.

Article 4 of the Wetlands & Watersheds Article Series: A Local Ordinance to Protect Wetland Functions
Authors: B. Strommen, K. Cappiella, D. Hirschman, J. Tasillo Released: 2007
Full Article Executive Summary

Outlines the key elements of an effective ordinance to protect wetlands from the indirect impacts of land development, and provides adaptable model ordinance language.

Crafting a Lake Protection Ordinance
Authors: K. Cappiella, T. Schueler Released: 2001

From Urban Lake Management, Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4), this article is part of an issue devoted to exploring how development impacts lakes and reservoirs, and examining ways to reduce these impacts with watershed management practices.

Find other ordinance language on our other site, Stormwater Manager's Resource Center.

Model Ordinances

Provides a MENU of code language for local, regional, and/or state stormwater programs to use to craft or update their ordinances. The ordinance is written so that individual sections can be lifted out and modified to suit individual program needs. Part of the Post-Construction Guidance Manual.

Outlines the key elements of an effective ordinance to protect wetlands from the indirect impacts of land development, and provides adaptable model ordinance language.

From Urban Lake Management, Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4), this article is part of an issue devoted to exploring how development impacts lakes and reservoirs, and examining ways to reduce these impacts with watershed management practices.