Abington, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The Township of Abington's floodplain rules sit in Chapter 146, the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance, at Section 146-42, "Special drainage problems, flood-prone areas and watercourses." Any land the township's Zoning Code Floodplain Conservation District defines as floodplain is subject to that zoning district's own requirements plus the additional Chapter 146 rules. Developers must have the Township Engineer make a flood zone determination for the parcel before applying. If the Board of Commissioners decides only part of a tract can be safely developed, it can require development to stick to that portion; it can also prohibit subdivision or land development of any part of a property lying within a stream's floodplain when necessary for public health, safety or the conservation of water and sanitary facilities.

Floodplain and wetland areas may not be cleared, graded, or used for dumping earth, waste, stumps or other material. Every subdivision lot or development site in a flood-prone area must have a safe building site with adequate access, and public facilities serving it must be designed to prevent flood damage from the start. Once approved, the township's minimum design standards apply: streets built in a floodplain must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation, storm drainage must carry the one-hundred-year flood flow without endangering people or property, and sanitary sewer and water systems, including pump stations, must be floodproofed to at least one and a half feet above the base flood elevation.

Structures must meet the Building Construction Code (BOCA) and the Federal Emergency Management Act's flood insurance standards. Any development that raises stormwater runoff volume or velocity is barred until the developer guarantees improvements meeting Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources standards.