Macomb County, MI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Michigan operates a dual federal-state floodplain regime. At the federal level, FEMA-effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) define Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs — Zones A, AE, AH, AO) and trigger NFIP local floodplain ordinance enforcement; each Macomb County community must regulate development in its SFHA per 44 CFR 60.3 to remain in the program. Macomb County and its municipalities are listed on FEMA's Community Status Book with active CIDs (county 26099C; Sterling Heights 260128; Warren 260129; Roseville 260909; Clinton Township 260121; St. Clair Shores 260127; Mount Clemens 260124). Local floodplain administrators issue floodplain development permits, require Lowest Floor Elevation at or above the Base Flood Elevation, prohibit floodway development without a no-rise certification by a Michigan-licensed professional engineer, and require flood-resistant construction below the BFE. At the state level, Part 31 of NREPA (MCL 324.3101 — 1994 PA 451) and EGLE's Floodplain Regulatory Authority require a state floodplain permit before any alteration or occupation of the 100-year floodplain of a river, stream, or drain with a drainage area of 2 square miles or more. Until October 1, 2029, the EGLE permit application fee is $500, plus a $1,500 engineering review surcharge if computations are required (MCL 324.3104). EGLE's permit is independent of and in addition to the local floodplain development permit. Federally-backed mortgages on SFHA properties require flood insurance under 42 U.S.C. §4012a. Macomb County GIS tools and FEMA's Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) provide property-specific zone lookup; State NFIP Coordinator Matthew Occhipinti (EGLE) is the statewide point of contact.