Southampton, NY Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 169, Flood Damage Prevention, was adopted in 2009 "to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions," and, per § 169-2F, to keep the Town able to "qualify for and maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program." Under § 169-5, the chapter applies "to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Town of Southampton, Suffolk County, New York, except incorporated villages," so it governs Hampton Bays, Water Mill, Flanders, and the other unincorporated hamlets but not Southampton Village or the Town's other incorporated villages.

Section 169-6 ties the special flood hazard areas to specific FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map panels for Community No. 365342, effective September 25, 2009, plus Letters of Map Revision issued through 2023. Section 169-10 names the Town Building Inspector as "local administrator," and § 169-11A requires a floodplain development permit for "all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard," making it "unlawful to undertake any development in an area of special flood hazard... without a valid floodplain development permit." The fee is computed the same way as a building permit fee, and the local administrator may require a deposit of "no more than $500" to cover added review and inspection costs (§ 169-11B).

Applicants for AE Zone structures must submit the proposed lowest-floor elevation relative to mean sea level and, once built, a licensed engineer's or surveyor's certified as-built elevation (§ 169-12A).