Local Ordinances for Climate Adaptation
Communities are on the forefront of climate change impacts. While federal and state policies can support or hinder local adaptation efforts, often through requirements tied to funding programs, local jurisdictions play a large role in building their own resilience through planning and land use regulations.
READ MOREThis portal provides a repository for examples of local ordinances, model ordinances, and other resources related to local planning and land use that can be used to help local governments adapt to climate change impacts. Beginning with flooding and floodplain management, this portal will be expanded in the future to encompass resources that address other climate-driven hazards.
SHOW LESSThis list of resources was developed alongside GCC's research: Local Ordinances for Climate Adaptation & Mitigation. Below are examples of local ordinances that have been enacted in different U.S. states to protect people and communities from flooding.
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Exceeding Minimum Standards for Local Floodplain Ordinances: 11 Examples
October 31, 2025
Georgetown Climate Center studied local ordinance-centered approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identifying and reducing climate-driven flood risk in an October 2025 report, “Local Ordinances for Climate Adaptation & Mitigation. ” As part of that project, GCC’s research identified 11 ordinances from Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New Jersey that represent some of the best uses of local ordinances to advance climate adaptation and protect people and property.
Related Organizations: Georgetown Climate Center
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Borough of Avalon, New Jersey: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
2022
The Borough of Avalon, New Jersey updated their Floodplain Ordinance in 2022 by passing Ord. No. 849-2022, incorporating expanded areas subject to regulation and heightened standards designed to better ensure flood protection of structures.
Related Organizations: Borough of Avalon
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Frederick County, Maryland: Floodplain District Standards
May 23, 2023
In order to protect public health, reduce property damage, and protect water supply, Frederick County established a floodplain district and codified restrictions on development activity within that district. Section 1-19-9.110 of the Frederick County Code of Ordinances most notably details both enhanced setback standards and freeboard standards.
Related Organizations: Frederick County, Maryland
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Hampton, New Hampshire: 2025 Zoning Ordinance, Building Codes, and Impact Fee Ordinance
May 16, 2025
In May 2025, the Hampton, New Hampshire Planning Board adopted the annual update of the Zoning Ordinance and Building Codes to restrict development of critical facilities in flood-prone areas, incorporate sea-level rise, and update freeboard values.
Related Organizations: Hampton Planning Board
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Havre de Grace, Maryland: Requirements in All Flood Hazard Areas
February 1, 2016
On February 1, 2016, the city of Havre de Grace, Maryland, adopted additional provisions to mitigate flood risk, including elevating the city’s freeboard requirements, particularly for critical facilities.
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Laurel, Maryland: Code Article IV. - Floodplain Management
April 25, 2016
The City of Laurel, Maryland, adopted Article IV of their Unified Land Development Code on April 25, 2016. Article IV, Floodplain Management, outlines building and structure regulations in the floodplain, including elevating critical facilities to the 0.2-percent chance flood level and enhancing flood protection setback standards.
Related Organizations: City of Laurel, Maryland
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Ocean City, Maryland: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
July 9, 2025
The Ocean City, Maryland Code of Ordinances includes a comprehensive flood damage prevention policy (Chapter 38, Article II). The policy, which includes both building hardening standards and floodplain management rules, is meant to protect people, property, and the environment from the impacts of coastal flooding in the city by restricting construction and development in high-risk areas.
Related Organizations: Ocean City, Maryland
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Satellite Beach, Florida: Floodplain Management Ordinance
Updated Oct 2, 2025
The city of Satellite Beach, FL, published updates to its floodplain management ordinance in 2014, elevating freeboard requirements for critical facilities to include consideration of the 0.2-percent annual chance flood hazard area (500-year floodplain).
Related Organizations: City of Satellite Beach, Florida
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Satellite Beach, Florida: Ordinance No. 1113: Adaptation Action Areas and Community Engagement
May 4, 2016
In May 2016, the City Council of Satellite Beach in Brevard County, Florida approved Ordinance 1113, amending the Infrastructure, Coastal Management and Conservation, Intergovernmental Coordination, and Capital Improvements sections of the town’s Comprehensive Plan to adopt Adaptation Action Areas and a shared planning horizon and sea-level curve for city projects.
Related Organizations: City of Satellite Beach, Florida
Resource Category: Law and Governance
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Satellite Beach, Florida: Ordinance No. 1159 - Setback Standards and Community Engagement
July 18, 2018
On July 18, 2018, the city of Satellite Beach, FL, adopted Ordinance No. 1159, which updated building setback standards for structures in areas vulnerable to coastal erosion, requiring that new and existing structures be located at least 15 feet from the Coastal Construction Control Line.
Related Organizations: City of Satellite Beach, Florida
Resource Category: Law and Governance
