FEMA flood zone rules in Dane County, WI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Dane County enforces floodplain zoning under Chapter 17 for unincorporated areas. Development in FEMA Zones A and AE requires a floodplain development permit. Dane County participates in NFIP.
Dane County Chapter 17 (Floodplain Zoning) regulates development in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A and AE) within unincorporated areas. Development permits are required before any construction, fill, or grading in floodplain areas. Zone AE areas have defined Base Flood Elevations; Zone A areas do not. New structures must be elevated to BFE plus freeboard. Substantial improvements (>50% of value) must bring structures into full compliance. Dane County participates in the NFIP, allowing property owners to purchase federally-backed flood insurance. DCiMap (Dane County's interactive mapping tool) can be used to check flood zone designation.
Development in the floodplain without required permits can result in fines, mandatory removal, and potential loss of NFIP eligibility for the entire county. Contact Assistant Zoning Administrator Hans Hilbert at 608-266-4993 for floodplain questions.
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See how Dane County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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