FEMA flood zone rules in Bronx County, NY — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
The Bronx has extensive FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas along Long Island Sound, East River, Harlem River, Bronx River, and Hutchinson River. Hunts Point, City Island, and Throgs Neck in Zone AE. NYC Appendix G Flood Zone construction code mandates elevation 2 ft above Base Flood Elevation.
FEMA NFIP mapped Bronx flood zones updated after Hurricane Sandy (2012) via Preliminary FIRMs 2015 and current Effective FIRMs. Zone AE covers Hunts Point peninsula, City Island, Throgs Neck, Clasons Point, Locust Point, Edgewater Park, and Harding Park. Zone VE (velocity wave zone) covers City Island eastern shore. NYC Building Code Appendix G requires lowest floor elevated to Design Flood Elevation (BFE + 2 ft freeboard). Mandatory flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages in SFHA. NYC Climate Mobilization Act Local Law 97 affects large building resilience upgrades.
Building below BFE: DOB violation 2,500-25,000 dollars, C of O denied. NFIP policy violations jeopardize federal flood insurance subsidies.
Bronx County, NY
Open burning is prohibited in Bronx County under both NYC Fire Code FC 307 and 6 NYCRR Part 215. Burning leaves, brush, trash, or yard waste is illegal year-...
Bronx County, NY
Bronx County is not in a designated wildfire hazard zone. No WUI maps, Cal Fire-equivalent designations, or Chapter 7A-style construction rules apply in NYC.
Bronx County, NY
Bronx County follows NYC Fire Code (Title 29). Open flames and recreational fires are prohibited on terraces, balconies, roofs, and within 10 feet of combust...
Bronx County, NY
Backyard recreational fires are only allowed at 1-2 family homes with private yards, using approved portable fire pits under 3 feet wide. Apartment buildings...
Bronx County, NY
NYC Administrative Code 27-2045 requires working smoke alarms in every dwelling unit. Since 2019 all replacement alarms must be sealed 10-year battery or har...
Bronx County, NY
The Bronx is a dense urban borough with no wildland-urban interface, so there is no defensible space ordinance. Property owners must still maintain lots free...
See how Bronx County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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