Lenexa's Stream Setback Ordinance
Lenexa's Stream Setback Ordinance, was adopted by the Governing Body on March 19, 2002. This ordinance was created by City staff, with the assistance of the law firm Stinson Mag & Fizzell, and will serve as the corner stone in the City of Lenexa's "Rain to Recreation" initiative. It will enable the City to more effectively address the issues of flood reduction and environmental and water quality protection while creating recreational opportunities.

Stream type and stream order serve as the criteria upon which stream setback distances were based. The Western Lenexa Stream Type Map, incorporated in the ordinance as Exhibit A, indicates stream type and order information to be used in the determination of stream setback requirements. The Western Lenexa Stream Type Map, incorporated in the ordinance as Exhibit A, indicates stream type and order information to be used in the determination of stream setback requirements.

Stream setbacks are composed of three buffer zones, located on both sides of the stream. These buffer zones include the Streamside Zone, Middle Zone and Outer Zone. The Streamside Zone is 25' in width, the Middle Zone of variable width, and the Outer Zone is 25' in width. Permitted uses vary from most restrictive in the Streamside Zone to least restrictive in the Outer Zone. Setbacks will allow the streams to function and adapt more naturally while creating linear corridors of open space. An example application of the Stream Setback Ordinance is depicted in the Stream Corridor Zones graphic. This particular application depicts a publicly owned corridor with trails. The corridor may remain in private ownership but development and use restrictions still apply. An example application of the Stream Setback Ordinance is depicted in the Stream Corridor Zones graphic. This particular application depicts a publicly owned corridor with trails. The corridor may remain in private ownership but development and use restrictions still apply.