Planning a Lexington Development Project? Stormwater Requirements Changed in 2026

There is a new date Lexington developers, property owners, contractors and design professionals should know:

May 1, 2026.

Projects initiated after that date are subject to Lexington’s new 2026 Stormwater Manual and 2026 Procedure Manuals, while earlier projects may continue under previous versions depending on when their improvement plans were initiated.

That may sound like a technical change buried in a municipal manual, but stormwater requirements can affect a project from its earliest design stages through construction—and long after construction is complete.

When Is a Land Disturbance Permit Required?

Lexington states that projects involving clearing, grading, excavation or filling of 5,000 square feet or more require an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and an Engineering Land Disturbance Permit before those activities begin.

That 5,000-square-foot threshold can be reached surprisingly quickly.

A project does not have to be a large subdivision or commercial development to involve that much disturbed ground. Building pads, parking areas, utility installation, access drives, grading and other improvements can add up.

Once construction begins, stormwater compliance also continues beyond getting the permit.

Lexington notes that permitted sites are inspected by Water Quality staff at least monthly, with certain sites inspected twice monthly based on factors such as size or proximity to a water body.

Stormwater Does Not End When Construction Ends

One of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—parts of stormwater management occurs after the construction equipment leaves.

Property owners are responsible for operating and maintaining post-construction stormwater facilities. Lexington specifically identifies facilities such as detention ponds and other stormwater controls as continuing maintenance responsibilities.

That can include keeping inlets and outlet structures clear, controlling vegetation, removing accumulated sediment or debris, identifying erosion and maintaining drainage paths.

A stormwater facility that worked perfectly when constructed may not continue functioning properly if it is not inspected and maintained.

Earlier Coordination Can Prevent Later Problems

Stormwater design touches many parts of a development project:

• Existing and proposed topography

• Drainage areas

• Site grading

• Storm sewer systems

• Detention and water-quality facilities

• Erosion and sediment control

• Utilities and infrastructure

• Long-term maintenance

That is why coordinating surveying, civil design and permitting requirements early in a project can help avoid redesigns later.

Lexington's transition to its 2026 manuals is also a good reminder to confirm which set of standards applies to your project rather than automatically relying on requirements from an older project.

At Abbie Jones Consulting, PSC, we provide land surveying and civil engineering services for commercial, residential and institutional development projects throughout Central Kentucky.

Whether a project begins with a boundary survey, a site plan or simply a question about what can be built on a property, understanding the site's drainage and regulatory requirements early can make the path from concept to construction considerably smoother.

Sources: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, New Development, Redevelopment, Construction and Demolition Projects; Lexington Stormwater and Storm Sewer System.