Stamford, CT Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- Base flood elevation + 1 ft freeboard
- Residential option
- Elevate lowest floor only, no floodproofing
- Non-residential option
- Elevate, or watertight floodproof below standard
- Flood vent ratio
- 1 sq in per sq ft of enclosed area
- Enforcing body
- Environmental Protection Board / ZEO
- Variance body
- Zoning Board of Appeals
Summary
New construction and substantially renovated buildings in Stamford's special flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor built to the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. The Zoning Regulations call this the Minimum Elevation Standard, and residential and non-residential buildings meet it differently.
Minimum Elevation Standard means the elevation of the base flood plus one (1) foot of freeboard (Example: Base Flood Elevation = 12.00 feet NAVD; Minimum Elevation Standard = 13.00 feet NAVD) ... (b) Residential Structures. All new construction and Substantial Renovations or Alterations of residential Structures within a special flood hazard area shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the minimum elevation standard. (c) Non-residential Structures. All new construction and Substantial Renovations or Alterations of non-residential Structures within a special flood hazard area shall: i. have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the minimum elevation standard; or ii. together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below the minimum elevation standard, the Structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
Full Breakdown
ff). (6)(b)); there is no floodproofing alternative for residential buildings. (6)(c)). (6)(d)). (2)). ix-x). (5)).
Violations & Fines
Violations of a Flood Hazard Area Permit are enforced by Stamford's Environmental Protection Board through a cease-and-desist order and any other remedy available by law, and are separately enforceable by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (Section 9.B.4.c). A landowner may seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals, but variances are barred outright in any designated Regulatory Floodway if the project would raise flood heights, and barred in any Special Flood Hazard Area if it would raise flood elevations during the base flood discharge (Section 9.B.6.b). Any variance granted must be the minimum necessary for reasonable relief and cannot increase flood heights or add a public safety threat (Section 9.B.6.f).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Stamford's minimum elevation standard calculated?
Can I finish a basement below the minimum elevation standard?
Do non-residential buildings have to elevate like homes do?
Can I get a variance from the elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stamford
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle flood elevation requirements.