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Gresham, OR Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

FEMA flood zone rules in Gresham, OR, 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: Floodplain development permit
Review type: Type II procedure (most cases)
Enforcing official: The Manager (Development Services)
Building permit: Separate from floodplain permit
Governing section: Dev. Code § 5.0104

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 Gresham, OR.

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 Gresham, OR on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Any development within Gresham's Floodplain Overlay District needs a floodplain development permit from the Community Development Manager, reviewed under a Type II procedure: a standard building permit alone does not satisfy this separate requirement.

The Manager is hereby appointed to administer, implement and enforce this Section (Floodplain Overlay District) by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions. Permits shall be required as provided in Section 11.0101 and Section 11.0204. Exemption from building permit does not exempt a development from requiring a floodplain development permit. 1. An application for a floodplain development permit shall be reviewed by the Manager under the Type II procedure unless otherwise specified. 2. Activities listed in Section 11.0102(D), (E) and (F) shall be reviewed by the Manager under the Type I procedure.
B. Where applicants are proposing development within the Floodplain Overlay District, they must comply with the Development Standards found in Section 5.0120.
C. Where applicants are proposing development within the Floodway, they must comply with the Development Standards found in Section 5.0121.
D. In flood prone areas where elevation data is not available either through the Flood Elevation Study or FIRM, applications for building permits shall be reviewed to assure that proposed construction will be reasonably safe from flooding. The test of reasonableness is a local judgement and includes use of historical data, high water marks, photographs of past flooding, where available.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Gresham's Development Code designates the Floodplain Overlay District over all areas of special flood hazard shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Multnomah County. Before building, grading, filling, or improving any structure in that district, the Manager requires a floodplain development permit, most reviewed under the Type II land-use procedure; a handful of minor activities qualify for the streamlined Type I process instead. Holding a standard city building permit does not substitute: the floodplain permit is a separate, additional approval, and applications must show pre- and post-development plans, floor elevations, and compliance with the district's development standards.

Violations & Fines

Developing in the Floodplain Overlay District without an approved floodplain development permit is a code violation; the Manager can deny, condition, or require correction of unpermitted work under the Development Code's enforcement provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in Gresham's floodplain?

Yes: a floodplain development permit is required in addition to any standard building permit, per Gresham Community Development Code § 5.0104.

Which review process applies to a floodplain permit?

Most floodplain permits go through the Type II land-use procedure; a few minor activities qualify for the faster Type I review under § 5.0104(A).

Sources & Official References

[1]Gresham Community Development Code § 5.0100 – Floodplain Overlay District

Other rules in Gresham

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All Gresham rules

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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities

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