Floodplain Regulations

The mission of the ASFPM Floodplain Regulations Committee is to support and improve sensible floodplain regulations on the local, state, and federal levels in order to reduce flood damages. The committee does this through advocating for higher floodplain standards, working to help better connect floodplain regulations with the other NFIP legs of flood mapping, flood insurance, and flood mitigation. Recognizing that flood risk is increasing due to risky development combined with climate change, committee members work with the ASFPM Climate Change Task Force to help bring climate change science and mitigation to ASFPM members.

The Committee also provides comments and positions on FEMA documents as they pertain to floodplain regulations, and has provided comments and suggestions through ASFPM with respect to FEMA’s Request for Information on the minimum federal floodplain regulations.  Finally, our largest task is to update the committee’s higher floodplain standards document. We encourage all interested ASFPM members to contact the Co-Chairs to get more information and to become more involved. 

Floodplain Regulations
Committee Co-Chairs
Claire Jubb
Claire Jubb, CFM
Charlotte County, Florida 

The Floodplain Regulations Committee will meet on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the annual conference in Salt Lake City.

ASFPM Floodplain Regulations Committee Meeting – Recorded Jan. 28, 2021

Higher Regulatory Standards White Paper.
Survey of State Floodplain Management and Hazard Mitigation Executive Orders

On May 4, 2007 a survey was sent to all state NFIP coordinators and state hazard mitigation officers. This survey requested information on Executive Orders related to hazard mitigation and floodplain management.

Floodplain/floodway White Paper
Critical Facilities White Paper
FEMA review of “automatic adoption” clauses in local floodplain regulations.
Comments on LOMA-EZ (Federal Register/Vol. 72, No. 76/Friday, April 20, 2007)
Update on Repetitive Loss Mitigation Legislation and Regulations.
National Flood Insurance Program Evaluation. The document is here: https://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/nfipeval.shtm
V-Zone fill and free-of-obstruction issues.

The committee has been asked to look into potential conflicts with the way different regulations/codes/guidance docs treat certain V-Zone fill/obstruction issues. The concern is over outcomes that actually cause the potential for additional vulnerability.

National Flood Programs & Policies in Review (2015)

Study Recommendations for Agricultural Structures in the Floodplain

National Flood Insurance Program – What is floodplain management?

Floodplain Management Publications

Summary of legal challenges to floodplain regulations – Courts issue good news for Floodplain Managers

Courts Issue Good News for Floodplain Management

No Adverse Impact – a new direction in floodplain management

No Adverse Impact Toolkit for Local Officials

FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS)– The NFIP’s CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. The following website provides resources which aid communities in the development of more stringent floodplain ordinances compliance with the CRS.

The following list provides links to the floodplain regulations of the top four CRS communities:

Class 1: Roseville, CA

Class 2: Tulsa, OK

Class 3: King County, WA

Class 4: Fort Collins, CO

The following link provides a bibliography of papers, reports, websites and other resources on a variety of shoreline management topics including regulatory approaches and model ordinances.

NOAA’s Ocean and Coastal Resources Management

The State of North Carolina has developed model ordinances that enforce higher regulatory standards. The model ordinance and Guidebook Safer Development in Flood-prone Areas – A Guidebook for Community Officials.

State of North Carolina

Quick Guide for Floodplain Management