Floodplain Management Ordinances
Every community in the NFIP must adopt local regulations that meet or exceed federal flood standards. Your community's ordinance determines what you can build in a flood zone and how.
Last updated: March 2026
What Is a Floodplain Management Ordinance?
A floodplain management ordinance is a local law that regulates development in flood-prone areas. To participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), communities must adopt and enforce an ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards set by FEMA in 44 CFR Part 60.
The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that communities account for flood hazards in all official actions related to land management and use. This includes zoning decisions, building permits, subdivision approvals, and any development within identified flood hazard areas.
Without a compliant ordinance, a community cannot participate in the NFIP, meaning its residents lose access to federal flood insurance and federally-backed mortgages for properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
NFIP Regulatory Requirements (Section 60.3)
The specific requirements a community must enforce depend on the flood data FEMA has provided. As FEMA provides more detailed data, the regulatory requirements increase. These tiers are defined in Section 60.3 of the NFIP regulations and are cumulative: each level includes all requirements from the levels before it.
60.3(a) - No Maps or Data Provided
FEMA has not yet provided flood maps or data. The community must still require permits for all development in known flood-prone areas, review proposed development to minimize flood damage, and ensure new construction uses materials and methods that minimize future flood damage.
60.3(b) - Approximate A Zones Mapped
FEMA has provided a map showing approximate flood boundaries (Zone A) but no base flood elevations. The community must require that new construction and substantial improvements have the lowest floor elevated to or above the base flood level, using the best available data to determine that elevation.
60.3(c) - FIRM with Base Flood Elevations
FEMA has provided a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood elevations (BFEs). The community must require elevation to or above the BFE, obtain elevation certificates for new and substantially improved structures, and ensure that new subdivisions and development proposals include BFE data.
60.3(d) - FIRM with BFEs and Floodway
FEMA has provided a FIRM that delineates both BFEs and a regulatory floodway. In addition to all prior requirements, the community must prohibit any encroachment in the floodway that would cause any increase in the base flood elevation. This is the "no-rise" standard.
60.3(e) - FIRM with Coastal High Hazard Areas
FEMA has provided a FIRM showing coastal high hazard areas (V Zones). The community must require that new construction in V Zones be elevated on pilings or columns, that the space below the lowest floor is free of obstructions, and that structures are designed to withstand wave action and storm surge. No fill is allowed for structural support in V Zones.
These Are Minimums
The Section 60.3 requirements are federal minimums. Many states and communities adopt regulations that go well beyond these standards. The requirements are also cumulative: a community subject to 60.3(d), for example, must also meet all requirements from 60.3(a) through 60.3(c).
Always check your specific community's ordinance. The rules that apply to your property may be stricter than the federal minimums described on this page.
Common Ways Communities Exceed NFIP Minimums
- Additional freeboard - Requiring buildings to be elevated 1 to 3 feet above the BFE rather than just to the BFE. Many states mandate at least 1 foot of freeboard.
- Cumulative substantial improvement tracking - Tracking all improvements over a multi-year period (often 5 or 10 years) toward the 50% threshold, rather than evaluating each project individually.
- Fill restrictions - Limiting or prohibiting the use of fill material in the floodplain to prevent displacing floodwater onto neighboring properties.
- Compensatory storage - Requiring that any fill placed in the floodplain be offset by an equal volume of excavation nearby to maintain flood storage capacity.
- Stricter floodway standards - Some communities prohibit all new development in the floodway regardless of whether a no-rise certification can be obtained.
- Extended flood zones - Regulating areas beyond the FEMA-mapped SFHA based on local flood history or future-conditions modeling.
Communities that adopt higher standards may qualify for premium discounts for their residents through the Community Rating System (CRS).
How to Find Your Community's Ordinance
Local Building or Planning Department
Your city or county building department administers floodplain development permits. They can provide the full ordinance text and explain how it applies to your property and project.
Local Floodplain Administrator
Every NFIP community has a designated floodplain administrator responsible for enforcing the ordinance. This person can answer questions about specific requirements, variances, and the permit process.
State NFIP Coordinator
Each state has an NFIP coordinator who can direct you to your community's floodplain management program. FEMA publishes a directory of state coordinators on its website.
Municipal Code Online
Many communities publish their ordinances through services like Municode or American Legal Publishing. Search for your city or county name along with "floodplain management ordinance" to find the full text.
NFIP Regulatory Reference (44 CFR Part 60)
The full NFIP floodplain management requirements are codified in 44 CFR Part 60. The key sections are:
- § 60.1Purpose and applicability of floodplain management criteria
- § 60.2Minimum compliance with floodplain management criteria
- § 60.3Floodplain management criteria for flood-prone areas (the five-tier system described above)
- § 60.6Variances and exceptions to floodplain management requirements
Related Resources
The 50% rule that triggers full compliance with your local ordinance.
How communities earn insurance discounts by exceeding minimum standards.
Techniques for protecting buildings from flood damage.
Understanding the maps that determine which 60.3 tier applies.
The flood hazard area where floodplain ordinances apply.
The most restricted zone under Section 60.3(d).
Sources
The full regulatory text for NFIP floodplain management requirements. If URL changes, search ecfr.gov for "44 CFR Part 60".
FEMA hub for floodplain management programs, community requirements, and higher standards.
General NFIP overview page covering program participation and community obligations.
- FEMA Flood Maps Portal (opens in new tab)General Reference
Main flood maps hub. Fallback for floodplain management and mapping information.
Sources last verified: March 2026
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