Flood Zones: Boston vs Revere
How do flood zones rules compare between Boston, MA and Revere, MA?
Boston and Revere have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston enforces FEMA flood zone regulations through Zoning Code Article 25A and the city's Flood Hazard Overlay District. Properties in designated AE and VE zones must meet base flood elevation requirements. Boston's updated flood maps reflect sea level rise projections, and the city requires freeboard above BFE for new construction.
View full Boston rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
Revere has extreme flood risk: 598 repetitive loss structures with over $8 million in NFIP claims since 1978. The city borders the Atlantic Ocean and Revere Beach Boulevard. Significant portions of the city are in SFHA (Zone AE). FEMA FIRM active. Flood insurance mandatory for federal mortgage holders in SFHA. MA Building Code requires BFE + 1 ft elevation in A Zones.
View full Revere rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Article | Article 25A — Flood Hazard Overlay | - |
| Flood Area | ~10% of Boston in SFHA | - |
| Residential Freeboard | 1 foot above BFE | - |
| Critical Facility Freeboard | 2 feet above BFE | - |
| Sea Level Rise Projection | 40 inches by 2070 | - |
| Repetitive Loss | - | 598 structures / $8M+ in claims |
| Zone AE | - | Coastal and low-lying areas of city |
| Elevation Req. | - | BFE + 1 ft (A Zones) / BFE + 2 ft (V Zones) |
| NFIP Policies | - | 2,237+ active policies |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Is my Boston property in a flood zone?
Check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or contact Boston ISD for a flood zone determination. Approximately 10% of Boston is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, primarily in East Boston, the waterfront, and low-lying areas near the Charles River.
What are Boston's flood zone building requirements?
New construction must elevate the lowest floor to the Base Flood Elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard for residential buildings and 2 feet for critical facilities, per Zoning Code Article 25A. Flood-resistant materials must be used below BFE.
Revere FAQ
Is my property in a flood zone in Revere?
Revere has extreme flood risk: 598 repetitive loss structures with over $8 million in NFIP claims since 1978. The city borders the Atlantic Ocean and Revere Beach Boulevard. Significant portions of the city are in SFHA (Zone AE). FEMA FIRM active. Flood insurance mandatory for federal mortgage...
Do I need flood insurance in Revere?
Repetitive Loss: 598 structures / $8M+ in claims. Zone AE: Coastal and low-lying areas of city. Elevation Req.: BFE + 1 ft (A Zones) / BFE + 2 ft (V Zones). NFIP Policies: 2,237+ active policies.
Compare other topics
See how Boston and Revere compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool