Meriden, CT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Meriden Code § 110-12 requires a development permit before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established under § 110-7. The application must be made on forms furnished by the administrator and must include plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area in question, existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, and drainage facilities. Specific submissions required by § 110-12 include the elevation, relative to mean sea level, of the lowest floor including basement of all structures; the elevation to which any structure has been or will be floodproofed; certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that nonresidential floodproofing meets the criteria in § 110-19B; and a description, including maps and computations, of any floodway or watercourse alteration and any flood-fringe encroachment the development would cause.

Section 110-7 defines the special flood hazard areas by reference to FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for New Haven County dated May 16, 2017, and its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map panels, plus earlier December 17, 2010 panels, all adopted by reference and kept on file for public inspection at the City Clerk's office. The City Engineer administers and grants or denies development permits under § 110-13, amended August 16, 2021, subject to review by the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, and must confirm under § 110-14A that a proposed development will not adversely affect the flood-carrying capacity of the special flood hazard area, defined as increasing the base flood's water surface elevation by more than one foot at any point when combined with other existing and anticipated development.