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Bergenfield, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Bergenfield, NJ, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

NFIP participation start: June 1, 1977
Governing FIRM date: August 28, 2019
Administering official: Construction Official
Standard violation fine: Up to $1,250
Illegal floodway dumping fine: Up to $2,500 (or $10,000)
Cure period before added fine: 30 days

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Bergenfield, NJ.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Bergenfield, NJ on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Bergenfield regulates every proposed development inside its mapped flood hazard areas under Chapter 161, Flood Damage Prevention, readopted June 17, 2025: the Borough Code applies the Uniform Construction Code's flood provisions and the state Flood Hazard Area Control Act to all such development, and violating any requirement of the chapter can draw a fine of up to $1,250 and up to 90 days in jail or community service.

These regulations, in combination with the flood provisions of the Uniform Construction Code and FHACA shall apply to all proposed development in flood hazard areas established in Article II of these regulations. ... Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall be subject to one or more of the following: a fine of not more than $1,250, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. ... These regulations supersede any ordinance in effect in flood hazard areas. ... The Borough of Bergenfield was accepted for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program on June 1, 1977.

View official code

Full Breakdown

C. 7:13, for regulated waters such as the Hackensack River, Metzler's Creek, French's Creek, Hirschfeld Brook and Tenakill Brook. Under § 161-2, the regulations apply, together with the flood provisions of the Uniform Construction Code, to all proposed development in the flood hazard areas the chapter establishes, covering subdivision of land, site improvements, manufactured homes, new construction, substantial improvement and repair of substantial damage, tanks, and temporary structures. Section 161-9 makes clear the flood regulations supersede any conflicting local ordinance in a flood hazard area but do not repeal existing land development, subdivision, zoning, stormwater or building code provisions, and that the more restrictive rule governs whenever the two conflict.

Maps and studies establishing the flood hazard areas are kept on file at the office of the Construction Official, 198 North Washington Avenue, who administers the chapter jointly with the Floodplain Administrator referenced elsewhere in Chapter 161.

Violations & Fines

Constructing, relocating, extending, converting or altering any structure or land in a flood hazard area without complying with Chapter 161 is a violation under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, punishable under § 161-8 by a fine of up to $1,250, up to 90 days' imprisonment, up to 90 days of community service, or a combination, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense after a 30-day cure period; unlawfully dumping solid waste in a floodway or floodplain under § 161-8.1 draws a separate fine of up to $2,500, or up to $10,000 under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bergenfield have its own floodplain ordinance separate from FEMA maps?

Yes. Chapter 161, Flood Damage Prevention, readopted June 17, 2025, applies the Uniform Construction Code's flood provisions and the state Flood Hazard Area Control Act on top of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Map, and § 161-9 says the more restrictive of local, state or federal flood rules governs whenever they conflict.

What waterways in Bergenfield are subject to state flood hazard mapping?

Section 161-11 lists Metzler's Creek, the Hackensack River, French's Creek, Hirschfeld Brook, its tributary and Tenakill Brook as New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act studied waters within the Borough, each with its own state map identification number kept on file with the Construction Official.

What is the penalty for building in a Bergenfield flood hazard area without complying?

Section 161-8 sets a fine of up to $1,250, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or up to 90 days of community service, with each day of an uncured violation counted separately once a 30-day cure period passes; dumping solid waste in a floodway draws its own fine of up to $2,500 or more under § 161-8.1.

Sources & Official References

[1]Bergenfield Borough Code, Chapter 161, Flood Damage Prevention

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All Bergenfield rules

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