New Britain, CT Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard requirement
- 2 ft above base flood elevation
- Applies to
- Zones A, AE, A1-30, residential structures
- Enforcing official
- City engineer
- Permit
- Floodplain management permit, 90-day start
- Fine
- $99 plus $99/day continuing
- Appeal body
- Flood and erosion control board
Summary
New Britain's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance requires new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure in a special flood hazard area to have its lowest floor, including the basement, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation. The city engineer administers floodplain management permits and enforces the two-foot freeboard standard citywide.
a.Residential construction: New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. ... Any person who violates this article or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall be subject to a fine of ninety-nine dollars ($99.00) and to a further penalty of not less than ninety-nine dollars ($99.00) for each and every day that such violation continues to exist.
Full Breakdown
Article III of the Code of Ordinances, adopted under the authority of Connecticut General Statutes section 7-148(c)(7), governs development within New Britain's special flood hazard areas, mapped by FEMA as zones A, AE and A1-30 on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated May 16, 2017 (Panel 09003C0487G) and September 26, 2008. Under section 9-45(c)(1)a., new construction or substantial improvement of a residential structure must have its lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation; nonresidential structures face the same two-foot freeboard unless floodproofed to the standards of section 9-45(c)(1)b.
A floodplain management permit from the city engineer, required by section 9-43(c) before any development activity begins, expires if work does not start within ninety days. Applicants must submit certifications from a registered professional engineer, surveyor or architect confirming the elevation of the lowest floor in relation to mean sea level, and the city engineer records that elevation once construction is complete. Fully enclosed areas below the base flood elevation must have at least two flood vents with a net area of one square inch per square foot of enclosed space, and may only be used for parking or storage, never as finished living space.
The flood and erosion control board hears variance requests and appeals from the city engineer's decisions; appeals from the board go to the Superior Court for the Judicial District of New Britain within fifteen days under section 8-8 of the General Statutes.
Violations & Fines
Violating any requirement of Article III, including building below the required two-foot freeboard, carries a fine of ninety-nine dollars under section 9-50, plus a further penalty of at least ninety-nine dollars for every day the violation continues. The city engineer may also order a stop-work order through the chief building inspector and require correction of deficient lowest-floor elevations before construction proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the base flood elevation must a New Britain home be built?
Who administers New Britain's flood elevation rules?
What happens if a structure is built below the required elevation?
Can a New Britain property owner get a variance from the flood elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Britain
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