Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Article I of Chapter 175, adopted 8-5-2025 by Ord. No. 2025:15, replaced the Township's 1986 flood ordinance. Under § 175-1.1 the regulations, combined with the flood provisions of the Uniform Construction Code and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act (FHACA), N.J.A.C. 7:13, are the Floodplain Management Regulations of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Section 175-1.2 applies them to all proposed development in the flood hazard areas established in § 175-2.

Section 175-2.2 says how the areas are drawn. The Township was accepted into the National Flood Insurance Program on February 19, 1986. The regulated New Jersey flood hazard area can be more expansive than the FEMA special flood hazard area, because the FHACA also regulates unstudied watersheds of 50 acres or greater and most riparian zones. The Township adopts by reference the Flood Insurance Study, Morris County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions), dated August 19, 2025, with FIRMs whose index map is effective August 19, 2025, and the 1986 study for the Township. Maps and studies are on file at the Engineering Office, 736 Parsippany Boulevard.

The Municipal Engineer is the Floodplain Administrator (§ 175-3.1) and works with the Construction Official. Under § 175-4.1, anyone who intends to conduct any development in a flood hazard area shall first apply to the Floodplain Administrator and obtain the required permit, and a floodplain development permit or approval can be required in addition to a building permit. The application goes on the Administrator's form with a site plan and construction documents (§ 175-4.2). A permit becomes invalid when development does not start within 180 days of issuance or work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, and extensions run up to 180 days each (§ 175-4.4). Ordinary maintenance and minor work, such as replacing windows, doors, decks or roofing, is still evaluated through the floodplain development permit (§ 175-1.5).