This webinar will cover the NFIP minimum standards regarding development permitting in the floodplain and we will also be providing best practices to ensure local communities can issue permits that are compliant with these floodplain management standards.

NFIP minimum standards require participating communities to issue development permits for structures located in the Special Flood Hazard Area. A community's floodplain management ordinance therefore must include a development permit process. Once a community's floodplain management ordinance has been adopted and is in force, any development or change in land use requires authorization, typically in the form of a permit from the local floodplain administrator or agency. The regulation of ALL development in floodplains is essential because fill or other material can obstruct flood flows just as structures can. Examples of development include new construction, improvements to existing structures, filling, grading, materials storage, etc. Lastly, relying on your community's building code or zoning ordinance permitting process may not be sufficient because those programs may not require permits for all development.