West Allis, WI Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 2 ft above regional flood elevation
- Applies in
- Floodway, Floodfringe, General Floodplain, Flood Storage Districts
- Enforced by
- Zoning Administrator / Floodplain Administrator
- Permit required
- Floodplain Development Permit before construction
- Penalty
- Up to $50 per day
Summary
West Allis requires new and substantially improved structures in mapped floodplains to elevate their lowest floor at least two feet above the regional flood elevation, a freeboard standard set in the city's Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.
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 foot or more above the regional flood elevation extending at least 15 feet beyond the limits of the structure. No area may be removed from the floodfringe district unless it can be shown to meet s. 1.5(5).
b) Notwithstanding s. 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 subd. (d).
d) In developments where existing street or sewer line elevations make compliance with subd. (c) impractical, the municipality may permit new development and substantial improvements where roads are below the regional flood elevation, if:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: ?).
Full Breakdown
Under the City of West Allis's Floodplain Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 12.71 of the Revised Municipal Code), new construction and substantial improvements to residential structures in the Floodfringe District must have their lowest floor elevated to or above the 'flood protection elevation', defined as two feet of freeboard above the Regional Flood Elevation (equivalent to FEMA's Base Flood Elevation), built on fill extending at least one foot above the regional flood elevation and 15 feet beyond the structure. Accessory structures must reach at least the regional flood elevation itself. A Floodplain Development Permit from the Zoning Administrator is required before construction begins, in areas mapped on Milwaukee County's FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required flood protection elevation is a code violation, punishable by a forfeiture of up to $50 per day, and creates a public nuisance the city may abate by court action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Allis's freeboard requirement for floodplain construction?
Where in West Allis does this apply?
What happens if a structure is built too low?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Allis
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle flood elevation requirements.