Does Milton, WI have its own flood zones ordinance?

No. Milton, WI does not appear to have a local flood zones ordinance, Wisconsin state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Wisconsin State Legislature.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Milton

Milton, WI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

NFIP CID: 550026 (City of Milton)
State Law: Wis. Stat. §87.30 + NR 116
Federal: 44 CFR 59-72 (NFIP minimums)
Freeboard: 2 ft above 100-yr flood (NR 116)
Drainage: Rock River basin

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 Milton, WI.

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 Milton, WI on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Milton (NFIP CID 550026) participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Floodplain development in Rock County is regulated under Wis. Stat. §87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 116, with the Rock River and tributaries as primary flood sources. Permits required for any development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas.

If any county, city or village does not adopt a reasonable and effective floodplain zoning ordinance within one year after hydraulic and engineering data adequate to formulate the ordinance becomes available, the department shall, upon petition of an interested state agency or a municipality or upon its own motion as soon as practicable and after public hearing, determine and fix by order the limits of any or all floodplains within a county, city or village within which serious damage may occur. Every structure, building, fill, or development placed or maintained within any floodplain in violation of a zoning ordinance adopted under this section... is a public nuisance... Any person who places or maintains any structure, building, fill or development within any floodplain in violation of a zoning ordinance... may be fined not more than $50 for each offense. Each day during which such violation exists is a separate offense.

Source: Wisconsin State LegislatureView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

The City of Milton is an NFIP participating community (Community ID 550026, Rock County). Wisconsin Statute §87.30 requires every municipality with mapped floodplain to enact a floodplain zoning ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum standards of Wis. Admin. Code Ch. NR 116 and 44 CFR 59-72. Development - including grading, filling, structures, culverts, bridges, and roads - within a Special Flood Hazard Area requires a floodplain zoning permit. New residential structures must have the lowest floor elevated at least 2 feet above the regional (100-year) flood elevation per NR 116.13. Substantial improvements (cumulative work ≥ 50% of structure value) trigger full floodplain compliance. The Rock River drainage and Otter Creek are the primary mapped flood sources affecting the Milton area. Flood maps are issued by FEMA; current FIRMs for Rock County communities should be confirmed at the FEMA Map Service Center.

Violations & Fines

Development without a floodplain permit can trigger stop-work orders, mandatory removal of non-compliant structures, and forfeitures under Wis. Stat. §87.30(2). Non-compliance also jeopardizes the community's NFIP standing and owners' federal flood insurance availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to fill or build in a Milton floodplain?

Yes. Any development in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area requires a floodplain zoning permit under Wis. Stat. §87.30 and NR 116, including grading, fill, structures, and accessory buildings.

How do I check if my Milton property is in a flood zone?

Use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) and search your address. The City and Rock County also maintain reference copies of the effective FIRMs.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Milton

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingLight Restrictions

All Milton rules

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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Rock County handle flood zones.

Beloit, WI

Significant Restrictions