Middleton, WI Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Chapter 24, readopted by Ord. No. O1651 on April 1, 2025, defines 'Flood Protection Elevation' as an elevation of two feet of freeboard above the Regional Flood Elevation (Section 24.11(33)). In the Floodfringe District, new construction, manufactured homes, and substantial improvements to residential structures must have their lowest floor elevated to or above that flood protection elevation on fill, with the fill extending at least one foot above the regional flood elevation for a minimum of 15 feet beyond the structure's limits (Section 24.05(3)(a)1). A basement or crawlspace floor may instead sit at the regional flood elevation only if it is engineered watertight to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, and no floor of any kind may go below the regional flood elevation (Section 24.05(3)(a)2).

In the Floodway District, accessory structures must either sit at or above the flood protection elevation or be dry floodproofed and certified by a registered engineer or architect (Section 24.04(3)(b)). In Zone AO, where the map does not list a flood depth, structures default to two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade (Section 24.06(1)(d)1). The City's Zoning Administrator, based at Middleton City Hall, 7426 Hubbard Avenue, reviews floodplain permit applications, documents certified lowest-floor elevations, and reports variances and map amendments to the DNR within ten days (Section 24.08(1)).