Madison County, IL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Madison County, IL, 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
- Any development or critical facility in the floodplain
- Critical facility threshold
- Below the 0.2% annual chance flood elevation
- Permit expiration
- 180 days to start, 12 months to finish
- Fine range
- $50 to $750 per day, per offense
- Enforcing office
- Madison County Zoning Administrator
- Governing ordinance
- Ch. 94, adopted by Ord. 2022-04
Summary
Anyone developing land in a mapped floodplain within unincorporated Madison County must first obtain a development permit from the Zoning Administrator under Chapter 94. Critical facilities need a permit before building below the 0.2% annual chance flood elevation. The rule protects the county's National Flood Insurance Program eligibility and applies to new construction, substantial improvements, fill, grading and manufactured homes.
(1) No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body, not exempted by law, shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the Zoning Administrator. (2) No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body shall commence any development of a critical facility on land below the 0.2% annual chance flood elevation without first obtaining a development permit from the Zoning Administrator.
Full Breakdown
05(B)) must include a scaled site plan showing property lines, existing and post-development grade elevations, sewage and water facilities, floodplain and floodway limits, and the elevation of the lowest floor of every proposed building, plus a licensed engineer's or contractor's cost estimate. 03 to decide whether the chapter applies, and must confirm every other required federal, state and local permit is in hand before issuing the county permit. A permit lapses if construction has not actually started within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, and all permitted work must finish within 12 months; the Administrator can grant 180-day extensions if the project still meets the current flood maps.
07's flood protection standards, backed by a FEMA elevation certificate. 07's protections can raise flood insurance premiums by up to $25 per $100 of coverage.
Violations & Fines
Under § 94.99, the Zoning Administrator who finds a floodplain violation must notify the owner in writing; if the owner does not correct it within ten days, the county seeks a Circuit Court injunction, fines the violator $50 to $750 per offense with each day a separate offense, and records a notice of violation against the property's title. The Administrator must also warn the owner that ignoring the notice is treated as a willful act that can suspend the property's Standard Flood Insurance Policy coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in the Madison County floodplain?
What happens if I develop in the floodplain without a permit?
Can I get a variance from the floodplain rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
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