FEMA flood zone rules in Providence County, RI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
All 39 Rhode Island municipalities participate in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Providence County is highly vulnerable to riverine flooding from the Blackstone, Woonasquatucket, Moshassuck, Pawtuxet, and Ten Mile Rivers, as well as coastal flooding from Narragansett Bay. RIDEM administers floodplain management under RIGL Title 46. The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC, RIGL 46-23) oversees development within approximately 200 feet of coastal features. Many municipalities have adopted freeboard requirements of 1 to 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation. The historic March 2010 floods caused widespread damage throughout Providence County.
Providence County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain management regulations. Properties in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (100-year floodplain) must meet minimum construction standards. New buildings must be elevated above base flood elevation. Substantial improvements to existing structures trigger elevation requirements. Flood insurance required for federally-backed mortgages in SFHA zones. Fill and grading in floodways prohibited. Providence County may maintain higher standards than FEMA minimums. Flood zone maps available through FEMA Map Service Center and local planning department.
Construction below flood elevation: retroactive compliance required, fines $500 to $5,000. Floodway encroachment: removal order. Failure to maintain flood insurance: lender force-placement at higher cost.
Providence County, RI
Rhode Island does not set statewide barking dog standards. Providence County has no county government. Barking dog complaints are handled by individual munic...
Providence County, RI
RIGL 31-42 governs abandoned motor vehicles statewide. Vehicles left 10 or more days in commercial garages after notice are deemed abandoned. Individual muni...
Providence County, RI
Providence County cities prohibit sidewalk blocking and unpaved front-yard parking. Providence Code §23-21 and Cranston Code require paved driveway surfaces....
Providence County, RI
RIGL 34-10-9 requires partition fences to run on the dividing line with each owner maintaining one-half and costs shared equally unless otherwise agreed. RIG...
Providence County, RI
RI State Building Code (SBC-1) exempts fences under 6 feet from building permits, but Providence County cities require zoning permits for most new fences. Hi...
Providence County, RI
Urban Providence County cities (Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket) restrict or prohibit backyard chickens. Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, and Johnston a...
See how Providence County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.