Chicago, IL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Governing chapter
- MCC Chapter 16-6, Flood Control
- Elevate
- Lowest floor and utilities at/above F.P.E.
- Fine
- $200-$500 per day, per violation
Summary
Chicago's flood control code sets a flood protection elevation one foot above the base flood elevation, and new construction in mapped flood hazard areas must meet it.
"Flood protection elevation" or "F.P.E." means the base flood elevation plus one foot at any given location in the S.F.H.A.
(m) "I.D.N.R./O.W.R." means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources and its successor agencies.
(n) "Issuing department" means any department or agency of the city government responsible for reviewing an application for permits for any development, or for reviewing the adequacy of any development under the municipal code. (n-1) "Limit of moderate wave action" or "LiMWA" means a line shown on a F.I.R.M. to indicate the inland limit of the 1.5-foot breaking wave height during the base flood.
(o) "Manufactured home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle". (o-1) "Moderate wave action area" or "MoWA" is a special flood hazard area subject to the potential for breaking wave heights of greater than or equal to
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago's Flood Control chapter (MCC Ch. 16-6) defines the "flood protection elevation" (F.P.E.) as the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard at any point in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Section 16-6-045 sets the method for pinning down the base flood elevation itself, from FIRM/FIS data or, where none is mapped, an applicant-financed engineering study submitted to FEMA and IDNR/OWR. Buildings subject to Section 16-6-060 must then meet Section 16-6-070's protection standards: the lowest floor, plus all electrical, heating, plumbing and HVAC equipment, must sit at or above the F.P.E.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted development in a flood hazard area, or failure to meet permit/variance conditions, is an abatable nuisance; uncorrected violations draw a $200-$500 fine per day plus possible injunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Chicago require above the base flood elevation?
What has to be built above that elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle flood elevation requirements.