Cumberland County, ME Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Because Cumberland County has no zoning or building-permit authority, floodplain management in Cumberland County is administered at the municipal level. Each of the county's 28 municipalities participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has adopted a Floodplain Management Ordinance that meets the federal minimum standards in 44 CFR § 60.3. The Maine Floodplain Management Program (Maine DACF) provides the state model ordinance that municipalities adopt and maintain. FEMA FIRMs for Cumberland County coastal communities (Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport, Harpswell, Brunswick) show extensive Zone AE (1% annual chance flood) and Zone VE (coastal high-hazard / wave action) along Casco Bay; inland communities (Windham, Standish, Bridgton) show AE zones along Sebago Lake, the Presumpscot River, and the Saco River tributaries. New construction or substantial improvement in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) requires the lowest floor to be elevated at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), or to BFE plus the local freeboard requirement (Portland and Scarborough require BFE +2 feet). To determine the flood zone for a specific parcel, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) or contact the municipal Code Enforcement Officer.