Flood Zones: Burlington vs Racine

Burlington regulates floodplain development through Chapter 119 (Floodplains) of the City Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 1942(19) on March 6, 2012. Chapter 119 establishes three districts: the FW Floodway District, the FFO Floodfringe Overlay District, and the GFP General Floodplain District. Boundaries are based on the Supplementary Floodland Zoning Map dated April 7, 1982 (and amendments) and FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the City of Burlington (Racine and Walworth Counties). The chapter is adopted under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code Ch. NR 116, and Burlington participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

The City of Racine regulates floodplain development through Chapter 114, Article VIII (Flood Regulations) and Article IX (Shoreland and Wetland Regulations) of its Zoning Ordinance, adopted under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and in conformance with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116 and 44 CFR Parts 59-72. The Root River runs through the city to its outlet at Lake Michigan, and the Lake Michigan shoreline along the eastern edge is a separately mapped coastal flood hazard area. Development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain zoning permit, new residential structures and most fill are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and structures in the flood fringe must be elevated to the flood protection elevation (regional flood elevation plus freeboard).