The Wayne County Stormwater Management Regulations (SWMR) have been developed by the Wayne County Commissioners for the purpose of protecting Wayne County residents from the impacts of stormwater runoff pollution, sedimentation and erosion during and after non-farm, earth-disturbing activities.  These activities include, among others, residential, commercial and industrial site development as well as, construction grading associated with roadway and pipeline projects.  

A Guidance Document has also been developed as a supplement to the Stormwater Management Regulations. In addition to identifying and mitigating conditions that erode the quality of open waterways in the County, the Stormwater Management Regulations also allow Wayne County to maintain compliance status with the stormwater management requirements of the Ohio EPA.  The regulations and guidance document originally went into effect in June 2009.  The latest modifications to the Wayne County Stormwater Management Regulations and Guidance Documents and Fee Schedule were adopted by the County Commissioners on June 25, 2025, and became effective on July 26, 2025.  One of the recent changes to the regulations is that all structures 200 square feet or larger deemed to be agriculturally exempt by the Wayne County Building Department will need to complete a Construction Application for Permit (CAP).  Although there will be no CAP fee or stormwater practices required, all applicable approvals from other Wayne County Offices and Departments will be required for CAP approval and approval of the Building Department’s Agricultural Exemption form.

Stormwater Management RegulationsGuidance Document

Requirements: It Starts with a Construction Application for Permit (C.A.P.)

All applicable non-farm, earth disturbing activities and agriculturally exempt structures mentioned above are required to complete a Construction Application for Permit (CAP). The CAP must be completed and submitted to the Wayne Soil and Water Conservation District Office. The Soil and Water Conservation District reviews the CAP and issues a Stormwater Construction Permit or a waiver to the Permit depending on the nature of the work and area of ground disturbed.  All activities require the implementation of sediment and erosion measures (See Sediment & Erosion Control Measures Fact Sheet below).  In addition to implementing sediment and erosion control measures, activities disturbing more than one (1) acre of ground must construct permanent, Post-Construction Best Management Practices (BMP’s) as outlined in the regulations. Detailed CAP Instructions are available below to help in the process of completing the CAP. CAP forms are available in our office and on this website below.

1. Do I need a CAP for building a deck? NO
2. Do I need a CAP for putting in a pool (above or below ground)? YES
3. Do I need a CAP to put up a fence? NO - but if it's over 6ft tall - you need a Building Permit
4. Do  I need a CAP if I live in a city, village or incorporated area? NO - only if you live in  an unincorporated area of the county

Listed below are forms and information about the application for permit. All forms are in PDF format.

Fillable CAP Form - type, print & bring in office.              CAP InstructionsCAP & SWMR Fees Procedure for Permits & County Building Map Fact Sheet: Submission for Permits from outside Wayne County Fact Sheet: Sediment & Erosion Control Measures 

If you have any questions regarding the Wayne County Stormwater Management Regulations, please feel free to email or call Rob Kastner, Water Management Engineer or Ricky Papay, Water Resources Specialist, at (330)-263-5376 or visit the SWCD office in the County Administration Building located at 428 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wayne SWCD office is located in the lower level of the building.