FEMA flood zone rules in Glendale, AZ — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Glendale regulates floodplain development under Chapter 28 of the City Code and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city enforces FEMA flood zone designations along the Agua Fria River, New River, and major drainage corridors. Construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain use permit, and structures must be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE).
Glendale's Chapter 17 (Floodplain Management) regulates development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) identified on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Skunk Creek runs approximately 3 miles through northwest Glendale trending northeast to southwest as a tributary to New River. The Agua Fria River also impacts western Glendale. The Flood Control District of Maricopa County has completed channel improvement projects on Skunk Creek to stabilize the channel and reduce the 100-year floodplain footprint. Glendale has an active Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Flood Control District for New River Channel maintenance. All development in floodplains must elevate the lowest floor above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Floodway areas within floodplains are essentially undevelopable. Property owners may apply to FEMA for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) if their land is naturally above BFE. Glendale participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), making federal flood insurance available to property owners. Stormwater management is also governed under City Code Chapter 33, Article VI (Storm Water Pollution Control) and Chapter 18.5 (Grading and Drainage).
Development in floodplain without permit: stop-work order and remediation. Non-compliant construction: must be brought to BFE standards. NFIP violations may affect community flood insurance eligibility.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle flood zones.
See how Glendale's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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