Beloit, WI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Beloit's Floodplain Zoning Ordinance sits inside the Zoning Code at § 5-400 through § 5-433. 30, Wis. , and § 5-403 states its purpose: protecting life, health and property, limiting public flood-control spending, and discouraging development where a practical alternative outside the floodplain exists. Section 5-405 fixes the areas covered as everything shown on the effective flood insurance rate map (FIRM) or approved by the Department of Natural Resources, drawing on a FIRM dated September 16, 2015, and divides the regulated land into three districts: the floodway (FW), the channel and adjoining area needed to carry the regional flood; the floodfringe (FF), the area between the floodway and the outer flood limit; and the general floodplain district (GFP), mapped area without a determined base flood elevation or floodway boundary.

Each district carries its own permitted-use list and development standards in Divisions 3 through 5, administered by the Zoning Officer, who can deny a permit that would obstruct flow or raise the regional flood height under § 5-406. Variance requests in a floodplain district go to the Board of Appeals, which must mail notice to the DNR's Southern District office at least 10 days before the hearing. 30, Wis. Stats.