FEMA flood zone rules in Green Bay, WI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
The City of Green Bay participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates floodplain development through Article XIII (Floodplain Overlay District) of its zoning code, adopted under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and the minimum standards of Wis. Admin. Code Chapter NR 116. Primary flood sources are the Bay of Green Bay, the Fox River, the East River, and Mahon Creek. FEMA issued updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Brown County that became effective May 9, 2023, and these are the maps now used to delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas. New residential structures are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and floodplain development requires zoning approval before any building permit is issued.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30(1) requires every Wisconsin municipality with mapped floodplain to adopt a reasonable and effective floodplain zoning ordinance. Wis. Admin. Code Chapter NR 116 (Wisconsin's Floodplain Management Program, effective March 1, 1986) sets the minimum statewide standards that local ordinances and the underlying federal NFIP rules at 44 CFR 59-72 require. The City of Green Bay implements those requirements through Article XIII (Floodplain Overlay District) of its zoning code, accessible from the Green Bay Document Center as the Floodplain Zoning Code. The Inspection Division administers the ordinance, with the Zoning Administrator reviewing floodplain permits before any building permit is issued in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Per the city's Floodplain Management page, the primary flooding source is the high water level of the Bay of Green Bay affecting the Fox River, the East River, Mahon Creek, and many smaller creeks and drainage ways. The currently effective FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Brown County, which include the City of Green Bay, took effect on May 9, 2023, replacing earlier panels. Under NR 116, the regulatory floodway prohibits new residential structures and most fill (NR 116.12), while in the flood fringe new residential structures must have the lowest floor at or above the flood protection elevation (regional flood elevation plus freeboard) under NR 116.13. The Wisconsin DNR Floodplain Mapping Program and FEMA's Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) and National Flood Hazard Layer are the authoritative map sources.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30(2) and Wis. Admin. Code NR 116.21 require active enforcement of local floodplain zoning. Violations - including unauthorized fill, structural development in the floodway, or building habitable space below the flood protection elevation in the flood fringe - can result in citation, daily forfeitures, stop-work and removal/restoration orders, and revocation of permits. Persistent non-enforcement by the city can trigger suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program under 44 CFR Part 59, which would eliminate federally backed flood insurance for all properties in the community.
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay enforces quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM in residential zones. Lambeau Field game days bring significant crowd noise to surrounding neighborhoods. The Br...
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay has strict parking rules especially around Lambeau Field on game days. Winter overnight parking ban November through March for snow removal. Reside...
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Brown County.
See how other cities in Brown County handle flood zones.
See how Green Bay's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.