Racine County, WI Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

All new construction, including placement of manufactured homes, and substantial improvement of residential structures, shall have the lowest floor elevated to or above the flood protection elevation on fill. The fill around the structure shall be one (1) foot or more above the regional flood elevation extending at least fifteen (15) feet beyond the limits of the structure. If fifteen (15) feet is unattainable due to lot configuration, retaining walls may be utilized. No area may be removed from the floodfringe district unless it can be shown to meet section 20.1-1.5(5).

(b) Notwithstanding subsection 20.1-4.3(1)(a), a basement or crawlspace floor may be placed at the regional flood elevation if the basement or crawlspace is designed to make all portions of the structure below the flood protection elevation watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. No floor of any kind is allowed below the regional flood elevation;

(c) Contiguous dryland access shall be provided from a structure to land outside of the floodplain, except as provided in subsection (d) below.

(d) In developments where existing street or sewer line elevations make compliance with subsection (c) above, impractical, the municipality may permit new development and substantial improvements where roads are below the regional flood elevation, if: