Does Plymouth County, MA have its own flood zones ordinance?

No. Plymouth County, MA does not appear to have a local flood zones ordinance, Massachusetts state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Massachusetts General Laws.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Plymouth County

Plymouth County, MA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

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

FEMA flood zone rules in Plymouth County, MA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Resource Area: Coastal storm flowage
Permit: Order of conditions required
Program: NFIP floodplain bylaw
V-Zone: Piles and breakaway walls

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 Plymouth County, MA.

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 Plymouth County, MA on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Along Plymouth County's coast, land subject to coastal storm flowage and flooding is a protected resource area under the Wetlands Protection Act. Building in these velocity and flood zones requires an order of conditions from the conservation commission, plus NFIP-compliant elevation.

City-specific rules exist: Brockton has its own flood zones rules that differ from Plymouth County's county-level regulations. If you live in Brockton, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any bank, riverfront area, fresh water wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh, meadow or swamp bordering on the ocean or on any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond, or lake, or any land under said waters or any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding

Source: Massachusetts General LawsView official code

Full Breakdown

MGL c.131 §40 explicitly protects land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding, which covers the FEMA V and A zones lining Duxbury, Marshfield, Scituate, and the Buzzards Bay shore. Construction in these areas requires a Notice of Intent and order of conditions from the town conservation commission. Every Plymouth County community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces a floodplain bylaw: new and substantially improved structures must have their lowest floor elevated above the base flood elevation, and V-zone homes must sit on piles or columns with breakaway walls.

Violations & Fines

Filling or building in a coastal flood or velocity zone without an order of conditions violates the Wetlands Protection Act and the town floodplain bylaw. Penalties include restoration orders and loss of flood-insurance eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coastal floodplain protected under state law in Plymouth County?

Yes. The Wetlands Protection Act protects land subject to coastal storm flowage and flooding. Building there needs an order of conditions from the conservation commission.

How high must a coastal home be built?

Above the base flood elevation under the town's NFIP floodplain bylaw. V-zone homes must sit on piles or columns with breakaway walls below.

Sources & Official References

[1]Massachusetts General Laws

Other rules in Plymouth County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Coastal DevelopmentHeavy Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsFew Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: BeekeepingFew Restrictions Landscaping Rules: Artificial TurfSome Restrictions

All Plymouth County rules

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Flood Zones in Cities Across Plymouth County

Brockton, MA