Rochester Hills, MI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 114, Article III implements the National Flood Insurance Program inside Rochester Hills. Section 114-129 adopts the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Oakland County and its Flood Insurance Rate Map panels, both dated September 29, 2006, as the conclusive delineation of the city's floodplain and regulatory floodway, and lets the engineering department identify additional undesignated floodplain areas from other survey or agency data. Section 114-156 requires a floodplain use permit for any activity regulated under the standards division before it may begin, conditioned on proof that all other local, state and federal development permits, including state Part 31 floodplain approval or a letter of no authority, have issued, and on the city council adopting a resolution of approval.

The city council reviews every application, weighing factors listed in Section 114-159 that include alternative non-floodplain locations, danger to life and property from increased flood heights, and the facility's susceptibility to flood damage. Once inside the floodway itself, Section 114-191(c) prohibits encroachments, fill, new construction, alterations and substantial improvements outright, with a narrow exception only when a registered professional engineer or the state department of natural resources certifies the cumulative effect of the proposed and existing development will not raise flood levels at all. Outside the floodway but still within the floodplain, development is allowed only where it is demonstrated the cumulative effect will not raise the base flood water surface elevation by more than one foot. An applicant can appeal an adverse administrative decision to the city council under Section 114-130, whose ruling is final.