Brookhaven, NY Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 33, Flood Damage Prevention, was adopted June 23, 2009 by Local Law No. 14-2009, effective June 29, 2009, replacing a 1995 predecessor law. It applies town-wide to areas of special flood hazard shown on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Map panels for Brookhaven's Community Number 365334 (effective September 25, 2009), plus two Letters of Map Revision from 2011 and 2015 that amended specific panels. Section 33-4A designates the Chief Building Inspector as "local administrator," responsible for granting or denying every floodplain development permit. Applications must show the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the proposed work, plus existing or proposed structures, fill, storage, and drainage facilities.

The application fee is computed the same way as a standard building permit fee, and the local administrator can also require a deposit of up to $500 to cover the Town's added review, inspection, and approval costs. For new or substantially improved structures, applicants must state the proposed lowest-floor elevation relative to mean sea level and later submit an as-built elevation certified by a licensed engineer or surveyor. The local administrator reviews every application for completeness and for compliance with Chapter 33's construction standards, and can require a technical engineering analysis before issuing a permit if a project might damage a neighboring property.