Flood Zones: New Haven vs North Haven
How do flood zones rules compare between New Haven, CT and North Haven, CT?
New Haven and North Haven have similar restriction levels.
New Haven, CT
New Haven County
New Haven participates in FEMA's NFIP and has flood-prone areas along the Long Island Sound shoreline and river corridors. Construction in flood zones must meet base flood elevation requirements plus freeboard.
View full New Haven rules →North Haven, CT
New Haven County
New Haven County has no operational county government (abolished 1960). The county fronts Long Island Sound from Milford east to Madison and is drained by the Quinnipiac, Housatonic, Naugatuck, and Mill Rivers, creating both coastal and inland flood exposure. Flood-zone regulation is governed by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, the Connecticut Coastal Management Act under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-90 through 22a-112, the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-36 through 22a-45, and the state Flood Management Act in Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 476a (Sec. 25-68b et seq.).
View full North Haven rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | New Haven | North Haven |
|---|---|---|
| NFIP | Participating community | - |
| Freeboard | 1 foot above base flood elevation | - |
| Code Section | Chapter 21 — Planning Development | - |
| Flood Risk | Coastal and river flooding | - |
| County Government | - | None (abolished 1960) |
| Coastal Frontage | - | Long Island Sound (Milford to Madison) |
| Major Rivers | - | Quinnipiac, Housatonic, Naugatuck, Mill |
| Coastal Mgmt Statute | - | Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-90 through 22a-112 |
| Wetlands Statute | - | Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-36 through 22a-45 |
| Flood Management | - | Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 25-68b through 25-68h |
| State Freeboard (state projects) | - | +1 ft above BFE (Sec. 25-68d) |
| Civil Penalty | - | Up to $25,000/day (Sec. 22a-6b, 22a-44) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
New Haven FAQ
Is New Haven in a flood zone?
Parts of New Haven are in FEMA flood zones, particularly along the Long Island Sound shoreline and river corridors. Check FEMA flood maps for your property.
Can I build in a flood zone in New Haven?
Yes, with proper permits. New construction must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
North Haven FAQ
Do I need a permit to build near the Long Island Sound shoreline in New Haven County?
Yes. Coastal towns from Milford to Madison must conduct a Coastal Site Plan Review under the Connecticut Coastal Management Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-90 through 22a-112, for development within the coastal boundary. Building in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area also requires a permit from the town Building Department under the local flood-damage-prevention ordinance, and work in tidal waters requires a Structures, Dredging and Fill permit from CT DEEP under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-361.
What rules apply to inland flooding along the Quinnipiac and Naugatuck Rivers?
Work in or near a wetland or watercourse requires a permit from your town's Inland Wetlands Agency under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 22a-36 through 22a-45. Construction in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area must comply with the local flood-damage-prevention ordinance, and state-funded projects must meet the Flood Management Act in Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 25-68b through 25-68h.
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