Edison, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Edison Township's flood hazards stem primarily from the Raritan River along its southern border, the South Branch Bound Brook in the western section, and several smaller tributaries crossing the Township. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Edison are dated September 2008 with subsequent letters of map revision. The Raritan Center industrial complex and adjacent properties in southern Edison lie largely within Zone AE (1% annual chance flood, base flood elevation determined). State regulation of construction in these areas is governed by the New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act and Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13), which require an NJDEP Flood Hazard Area permit for most construction, fill, or major alterations within the regulatory flood hazard area or its riparian buffer. Edison's local floodplain ordinance, adopted to maintain NFIP participation and amended consistent with the 2024 NJDEP Inland Flood Protection Rule, requires new and substantially improved structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area to be elevated at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation (1 ft freeboard) and includes additional requirements for cumulative substantial improvement tracking and lowest-floor elevation certification. Mortgage holders require NFIP flood insurance on federally backed mortgages for properties in SFHAs. Most of central and northern Edison is in Zone X (low risk).