Somerville, MA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

3 defines the FP overlay district as every special flood hazard area in Somerville mapped as Zone AE on the Middlesex County Flood Insurance Rate Map dated July 8, 2025, covering FIRM panels 25017C0417F, 25017C0419F, 25017C0436F, 25017C0438F, 25017C0439F, 25017C0576F and 2501C00577F, with boundaries further defined by the Middlesex County Flood Insurance Study of the same date. 4. 1 for essentially every kind of development in the overlay, expressly listing new construction, modification of an existing structure, manufactured homes, agricultural facilities, fences, sheds, storage facilities, and drilling, mining or paving that could increase flooding risk to other properties.

The Zoning Board of Appeals decides these applications and must weigh potential flood damage, the location of public utilities, and drainage before approving. 8 separately bars encroachments, including infill and new construction, within a designated regulatory floodway unless a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis using standard engineering practices proves the project will not raise flood levels during a base flood event; where no floodway has been mapped, the best available federal, state or local data governs instead. Recreational vehicles placed in the FP overlay must be elevated and anchored per the district's foundation standards unless they will stay fewer than 180 days or remain highway-ready. c. 131 §40, and applicants must show all necessary local, state and federal permits are secured before the Zoning Board acts.