Abington, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Chapter 146, the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance, defines FLOOD ELEVATION in Section 146-8 as the one-hundred-year-flood elevation, as determined by the Flood Hazard Boundary Map, plus a freeboard safety factor of one and one-half feet. Section 146-42 then applies that standard to public improvements built in floodplain areas identified by the township's Floodplain Conservation District, stating those areas are subject to the Zoning Code's requirements plus additional regulations intended to conform to Section 60.3d of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act.

Under the minimum public improvement design standards in Section 146-42B, streets proposed within floodplain areas must have a finished elevation at least two feet above base flood elevation, with drainage openings sufficient to discharge flood flows without raising flood heights on neighboring land. Sanitary sewer systems, whether new or replacement, public or private, located in floodplain areas must be floodproofed, and their appurtenances, including pumping stations, floodproofed up to a point 1.5 feet above base flood elevation; water systems and other utilities and facilities in the floodplain carry the identical 1.5-foot floodproofing or elevation requirement.

Storm drainage facilities must be designed to convey the one-hundred-year flood flow without risk to persons or property, and the Board of Commissioners may require an underground storm system sized for that event plus a secondary surface system for larger, less frequent floods.