FEMA flood zone rules in Linn County, IA — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Unincorporated Linn County participates in FEMA's NFIP. All development in unincorporated areas requires a permit, and floodplain development requires a Floodplain Development Permit. Cedar River flooding in 2008 (record 31.12 ft crest) and 2016 shaped county and Cedar Rapids floodplain rules.
Linn County administers floodplain regulations under its Unified Development Code (Chapter 107) consistent with the National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR Part 60) and Iowa Code §335.30 (county zoning authority). The county lies in the Cedar and Wapsipinicon River watersheds. The June 13, 2008 Cedar River flood crested at 31.12 ft in Cedar Rapids — the previous record was about 20 ft — flooding 10 sq mi (14% of the city), 5,390 homes, and 7,198 parcels. A second major flood occurred in September 2016. Property owners in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps must elevate to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Floodplain Development Permits are required from Linn County Planning & Development (319-892-5130) for any development in the SFHA. Cedar Rapids regulates its floodplain separately under City Code Chapter 32B.
Development in the SFHA without a Floodplain Development Permit is subject to enforcement under Linn County UDC Chapter 107 and may jeopardize NFIP flood insurance eligibility.
Linn County, IA
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See how Linn County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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