FEMA flood zone rules in Davenport, IA — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Davenport enforces floodplain rules under Municipal Code Chapter 15.44 for FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas along the Mississippi River. New buildings must sit one foot above base flood elevation, and any development below that elevation needs a floodplain development permit.
Unusually for a major Mississippi River city, Davenport has no permanent floodwall or levee protecting downtown, relying instead on floodplain management and temporary barriers during floods. Chapter 15.44 adopts the Scott County Flood Insurance Rate Maps effective April 11, 2024 (Ordinance 2024-98). Structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area must be elevated to the flood protection elevation — the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. Floodway obstructions that raise the base flood more than one foot are barred, and substantial improvements exceeding 50% of market value trigger full compliance. The city participates in FEMA's Community Rating System, which lowers resident flood-insurance premiums.
Development below base flood elevation without a permit is a misdemeanor under Section 15.44.190, with retroactive elevation or floodproofing required; noncompliance also jeopardizes the city's National Flood Insurance Program eligibility.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Davenport's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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