Farmington Hills, MI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Farmington Hills floodplain administration sits at three layers. Federally, FEMA's NFIP under 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq. and 44 CFR Part 60 sets minimum standards and makes federally-backed flood insurance available to communities that adopt a compliant floodplain ordinance. At the state layer, Michigan EGLE enforces statewide floodplain review under NREPA Part 31 (MCL 324.3104) and the Floodplain Regulatory Authority of MCL 324.30301 (Part 301 - Inland Lakes and Streams) — any occupation, fill, or structure proposed within the 100-year floodplain of a Michigan watercourse requires EGLE Floodplain Permit review, with permits issued under R 323.1311 to R 323.1317 for activities subject to Part 31. The 100-year floodplain in Michigan is defined as the area inundated by the 1%-annual-chance flood event (Base Flood) per the effective FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Locally, Farmington Hills regulates floodplain development through its zoning ordinance (Chapter 34) and Building Code adoption (Chapter 7) — including elevation of the lowest floor of new residential construction at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), prohibition of fill that displaces flood storage without compensating cut, and substantial improvement triggers (improvements equal to 50% or more of pre-improvement market value require full-code compliance under 44 CFR 59.1). The Rouge River system threads Farmington Hills — the Main Branch through southwestern neighborhoods, the Middle Rouge through the Tarabusi Creek corridor, and Upper Rouge tributaries through the northern portion of the City. Determine your address's flood zone through the Oakland County Property Gateway floodplain layer or the FEMA Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov). The City's 'Reduce Flooding' program (administered by the Department of Public Services) provides resident guidance on basement backup prevention, sump pump maintenance, and storm-drain stewardship under the Project Rouge River at Home program. Contact the Building Division at (248) 871-2450 to confirm whether your project requires a local floodplain review and an EGLE floodplain permit before submitting building plans.