Arlington Heights, IL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Arlington Heights has FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone AE) primarily along Salt Creek and its tributaries including McDonald Creek. The Village participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS), which may provide flood insurance premium discounts to policyholders. The Village's floodplain management ordinance requires that new construction and substantial improvements in the floodplain have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). No new construction is permitted in the regulatory floodway, which is the channel and immediate adjacent area needed to convey flood waters. Substantial improvements to existing structures in the floodplain (defined as improvements costing 50% or more of the structure's market value) must comply with current floodplain construction standards. Fill in the floodplain requires compensatory storage at a 1:1 ratio. Basement construction is prohibited in the floodplain. A floodplain development permit is required for any work in the Special Flood Hazard Area, including grading, filling, building, and utility installation. Elevation certificates are required for all new construction and substantial improvements in the floodplain. The Village Engineering Division reviews all floodplain development applications.