FEMA flood zone rules in Denver County, CO — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Denver has FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas along the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. Development in the 1% floodplain requires a floodplain permit and elevation at least 1 foot above BFE.
Denver participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has adopted local floodplain management regulations meeting NFIP and Colorado state standards. Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) in Denver are concentrated along the South Platte River corridor and Cherry Creek. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) designate Zones A, AE, and others. All new development or substantial improvements in the floodplain require a floodplain development permit. New residential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD/Mile High Flood District) provides technical FEMA review. The 1965 South Platte flood ($300M+ in losses) catalyzed metro flood control infrastructure.
Development without a floodplain permit is a NFIP violation that can affect federal flood insurance availability citywide.
Denver County, CO
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Denver County, CO
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Denver County, CO
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Denver County, CO
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Denver County, CO
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Denver County, CO
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See how Denver County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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