VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation: Guidance for Local Floodplain Ordinances in Virginia
In October 2011, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) developed the document “Guidance for Local Floodplain Ordinances in Virginia.”
The Guidance contains reference information to help communities satisfy the minimum FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements regarding development in the floodplain. Suggestions are given for higher standards and a model ordinance that a community can customize. "While not required by the NFIP, your community is encouraged to adopt at least a one foot freeboard to account for the one-foot rise built into the concept of designating a regulatory floodway and the encroachment requirements where floodways are not identified. Other reasons for considering a freeboard include: ...Accounts for increases in water level and variability in storm magnitude due to climate change"
In developing their floodplain management ordinances, participating communities must meet at least the minimum regulatory standards that are found in the federal regulations and administered by FEMA. The purpose of this document is to clearly articulate to community officials the minimum regulatory standards required in a fully compliant floodplain ordinance and to outline the minimum documentation needed for a complete ordinance review submission.
Publication Date: October 2011
Related Organizations:
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Sectors:
- Land use and built environment
- Coastal
- Land management and conservation
Resource Category:
Resource Types:
- Planning guides
States Affected:
Impacts:
