Harrisburg, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Harrisburg, PA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Administrator
- Zoning Officer, as Floodplain Administrator
- Permit
- Zoning permit required before any construction or development
- Map basis
- FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated August 2, 2012
- Stream buffer
- No new construction within 50 feet landward of top-of-bank without DEP permit
- Banned uses
- Recreational vehicles, manufactured homes, nursing homes, jails
- Fine
- $25 to $500 plus costs, summary offense
- Appeal window
- 30 days to the Zoning Hearing Board
Summary
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Floodplain Overlay District covers every area on the City's Floodplain Map and sits on top of the underlying zoning. No construction or development can start anywhere in the City without a zoning permit from the Zoning Officer, who serves as Floodplain Administrator, and certain uses are banned outright in flood areas.
This chapter shall apply to all lands shown on the City of Harrisburg Floodplain Map which is adopted as part of the City of Harrisburg Zoning Code, as further described under Section 7-315.8, Identification of Floodplain Areas, referred to otherwise as the "Floodplain Overlay District." The Floodplain Overlay District overlays the underlying zoning districts, and this chapter supplements the regulations found elsewhere in the Zoning Code applicable to the underlying districts. It shall be unlawful for any persons, partnership, business, or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere in the City of Harrisburg unless a zoning permit has been obtained from the Zoning Officer/Floodplain Administrator.
Full Breakdown
Harrisburg Codified Ordinances Chapter 7-315 is the floodplain management chapter of the zoning code for the City of Harrisburg. Section 7-315.2 applies it to all lands shown on the City of Harrisburg Floodplain Map, called the Floodplain Overlay District. The overlay supplements the regulations of the underlying districts, and where Chapter 7-315 is stricter, § 7-315.5 says the chapter prevails.
Mapping: under § 7-315.8 the identified floodplain areas are the special flood hazard areas in the Flood Insurance Study and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated August 2, 2012, issued by FEMA, or the most recent revision. Section 7-315.9 splits them into four areas: the Floodway Area, the Special Floodplain Area (Zones AE and A1-30), the Approximate Floodplain Area (Zone A), and the Shallow Flooding Area (Zones AO and AH, with average depths between one foot and three feet). In the Floodway Area, any encroachment that would cause any increase in flood heights is prohibited. In the Special and Approximate Floodplain Areas, no new construction or development can sit within 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
Permits: § 7-315.14 requires a zoning permit before any construction or development within a floodplain area, applied for in writing to the Floodplain Administrator. Work must begin within 180 days after issuance and be completed within 12 months, or the permit expires unless extended in writing (§ 7-315.19).
Prohibited uses: § 7-315.27 bans recreational vehicles, manufactured homes and parks, supportive housing facilities including nursing homes, and correctional facilities in the Floodway, Special, Approximate, and Shallow Flooding Areas. Hospitals need a special exception from the Harrisburg Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board.
Relief and appeals: § 7-315.21 lets the Zoning Hearing Board grant variances, but never for a use prohibited under § 7-315.27(A), and never for anything in a Floodway Area that would raise the base flood elevation. Decisions of the Floodplain Administrator can be appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days under § 7-315.22. Sellers must deliver the floodplain certificate at least 10 days before an agreement of sale (§ 7-315.30).
Violations & Fines
Under § 7-315.99, failing to comply with the chapter or with any notice or order of the Floodplain Administrator is a summary offense, punishable on conviction by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $500 plus costs of prosecution. A non-compliant structure can be declared a public nuisance and abated, and notices under § 7-315.20 allow up to 30 days for the required act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a flood zone in the City of Harrisburg?
What cannot be built in a Harrisburg floodplain?
How do I appeal a Harrisburg floodplain decision?
What is the penalty for violating Harrisburg's floodplain rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harrisburg
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