Saint Paul, MN Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Sec. 115(a) applies Chapter 68 to all city land shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map within zones A and AE for the Mississippi River and zone A for Lake Phalen and Beaver Lake, incorporating the Ramsey County Flood Insurance Study and specific FIRM panel numbers dated June 4, 2010 (with FIRM Panel 27123C0116H revised effective September 16, 2015). Sec. 115(c) draws the FW Floodway District from zone AE areas mapped as floodway plus zone A areas on Lake Phalen and Beaver Lake below their ordinary high water elevations under Minn.

005, Subd. 14. Sec. 58 feet (Beaver Lake) but above ordinary high water, plus every other zone A or AE area outside the floodway. Within both districts, any use not expressly permitted or conditional under the chapter is prohibited outright, though legal nonconforming structures predating the ordinance may continue under Chapter 62 and Sec. 141. Sec. 121 requires a building permit before erecting, altering, or repairing any structure in the floodplain, a zoning administrator permit before changing land use, building accessory structures, fences, retaining walls, or placing fill, and a planning commission permit to expand a nonconforming use; site plans reviewed under Sec.

122 must show the regulatory flood protection elevation and proposed fill and floor elevations before any permit issues. Chapter 68 was last amended by Ord. No. 25-72 on December 10, 2025, and is adopted under Minn. ch. 103F to keep the city eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program.