Flood Zones: Horace vs West Fargo
How do flood zones rules compare between Horace, ND and West Fargo, ND?
West Fargo has fewer restrictions than Horace.
Horace, ND
Cass County
Horace Title V Chapter 5-04 (Flood Damage Prevention, Ord. 2015-1 as amended through Ord. 2025-11 and Ord. 2026-04) requires a development permit before any construction in a Special Flood Hazard Area, with new residential lowest floors elevated at least 2.5 feet above the base flood elevation.
View full Horace rules →West Fargo, ND
Cass County
West Fargo participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and enforces a Flood Proofing Code (originally prepared by Moore Engineering, 1974, revised 1975) that governs all buildings within the Floodway and Special Flood Hazard Area. Any development in a FEMA-mapped SFHA along the Sheyenne River or Sheyenne Diversion corridor requires a development permit before a building permit is issued. The Metro Flood Diversion Authority's FM Area Diversion project (under construction) is reshaping long-term flood risk for West Fargo and the Fargo-Moorhead region.
View full West Fargo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Horace | West Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Local Authority | Horace Code Ch. 5-04 (Ord. 2015-1) | - |
| Freeboard | BFE + 2.5 ft (§5-0418) | - |
| FIS/FIRM | Cass County FIS dated Sept. 5, 2025 | - |
| Floodplain Admin | City Administrator (§5-0414) | - |
| Diversion | FM Area Diversion begins south of Horace | - |
| NFIP Status | - | Participating community |
| Local Code | - | West Fargo Flood Proofing Code (Title V) |
| State Authority | - | NDCC ch. 61-16.1; ND DWR |
| Federal Rule | - | 44 CFR Parts 59-60 |
| Substantial Improvement | - | 50% of market value |
| Major Waterways | - | Sheyenne River; Sheyenne Diversion |
| Regional Project | - | FM Area Diversion (Metro Flood Diversion Authority) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Horace FAQ
How high must I build above the BFE in Horace?
New residential lowest floors must be at least 2.5 feet above the base flood elevation per Code §5-0418. Non-residential buildings must be elevated or floodproofed to the same standard.
Do I need a permit to build in a Horace flood zone?
Yes. Code §5-0413 requires a development permit before any construction or development in any Special Flood Hazard Area, with engineer-certified elevation data.
West Fargo FAQ
How do I know if my West Fargo property is in a FEMA flood zone?
Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) for the official Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of West Fargo, or use the North Dakota Risk Assessment Map Service (NDRAM) at ndram.dwr.nd.gov. Properties in Zone A, AE, or a designated floodway require a development permit before any construction, fill, or substantial improvement.
How does the Metro Flood Diversion affect West Fargo?
The FM Area Diversion is a 30-mile flood-control channel routed west and south of West Fargo and Fargo, designed to reduce 100-year and 500-year flood risk for the metro. Once operational, FEMA is expected to remap floodplains, which can reduce mandatory flood insurance areas for some properties. Until then, current FIRMs and the city's Flood Proofing Code remain in effect.
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