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Everett, MA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Everett, MA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit required: Special flood hazard permit for any development in a special flood hazard area
Issuing office: Director of engineering, the floodplain administrator
Map: Middlesex County FIRM dated July 8, 2025
Floodway: Encroachments prohibited unless analyses show no flood level increase
Recreational vehicles: Elevated and anchored, under 180 consecutive days, or highway ready
Chapter adopted: 6-23-2025, Ord. No. C0197-25

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Everett, MA.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Everett, MA on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

In the City of Everett, Massachusetts, no construction or other development is permitted in a special flood hazard area without a special flood hazard permit. Applications go to the director of engineering, who is the city's floodplain administrator, and Section 9-27 reaches new buildings, fences, sheds, paving and more.

(a) No construction or other development is permitted in special flood hazard areas, including new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement of agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties, without issuance of a special flood hazard permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (b) Applications for special flood hazard permits shall be submitted to the director of engineering and shall demonstrate compliance with the regulations set forth in Section 9-28. The proponent must acquire all necessary permits, and must demonstrate that all necessary permits have been acquired.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Chapter 9, Flood Damage Prevention, was added on 6-23-2025 by Ord. No. C0197-25 to the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Section 9-2 establishes it under the City's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Special flood hazard areas within the City of Everett are designated on the Middlesex County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) dated July 8, 2025, which indicates the 1%-chance regulatory floodplain. The effective FIRM and the Flood Insurance Study report are incorporated by reference and kept on file in the director of engineering's office. Section 9-3 defines a special flood hazard area as land shown on a FIRM or other flood hazard map as Zone AE.

Section 9-27 is the permit gate. Development covers new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities, drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties. The application goes to the director of engineering, must show compliance with Section 9-28, and must prove that every other necessary permit has been acquired.

Section 9-28 sets the standards. In Zone AE along a watercourse with a regulatory floodway on the City's FIRM, encroachments including fill, new construction and substantial improvements are prohibited unless hydrologic and hydraulic analyses show no increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge. Recreational vehicles in AE Zones must be elevated and anchored, be on the site for less than 180 consecutive days, or be fully licensed and highway ready. Section 9-30 sets the variance path, and Section 9-6 makes the chapter take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local law.

Violations & Fines

Under Section 9-5 the director of engineering enforces the chapter, and a violator is subject to a fine under Section 1-8: a penalty not to exceed $300.00 per offense, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate violation. Section 9-3 also treats a structure or development without the elevation certificate or other required evidence of compliance as presumed to be in violation until the documentation is provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a shed or fence in an Everett, Massachusetts flood zone?

Yes. Section 9-27(a) lists fences, sheds and storage facilities among the development that is not permitted in a special flood hazard area without a special flood hazard permit. Apply to the director of engineering and show compliance with the regulations in Section 9-28.

Who administers floodplain rules in the City of Everett?

The director of engineering. Section 9-26 designates that position as the official floodplain administrator for the city, Section 9-27(b) sends permit applications there, and Section 9-5 gives the same director enforcement of the chapter.

Which flood map does Everett use?

Section 9-2 designates special flood hazard areas on the Middlesex County Flood Insurance Rate Map issued by FEMA, dated July 8, 2025, with boundaries defined by the 1%-chance base flood elevations on that map and the Middlesex County Flood Insurance Study report of the same date.

Can I get a variance from Everett's flood damage prevention chapter?

Section 9-30(b) allows a variance only on good and sufficient cause and exceptional non-financial hardship, with no added threat to public safety, extraordinary public expense, fraud or victimization of the public, and only as the minimum action necessary to afford relief.

Sources & Official References

[1]Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts (eCode360)

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