Stratford, CT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Stratford, CT, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Building Inspector, Town of Stratford
- Mapped zones
- A, AE and VE on the FEMA FIRM dated July 8, 2013
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, fine of not more than $250 per day per violation
- Manufactured homes
- Prohibited in Zones A, AE and VE
- Recreational vehicles
- On site fewer than 180 consecutive days
- Chapter effective date
- July 8, 2013
Summary
In the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, no construction or development can begin in an area of special flood hazard without a development permit from the Building Inspector. The areas are the FEMA Zones A, AE and VE adopted by reference in Chapter 102 of the Stratford Code. A violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $250 per day.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in § 102-7. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Building Inspector and may include but not be limited to plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of material and drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required: A. Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor, including basement, of all structures. ... C. Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria in § 102-18B. D. A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development. E. Plans for any walls to be used to enclose space below the base flood level.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 102 of the Stratford Code, Flood Damage Prevention, applies to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Stratford, Connecticut (§ 102-6). Section 102-7 adopts by reference the FEMA Flood Insurance Study dated July 8, 2013 and its Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and defines the areas of special flood hazard as any area shown on the FIRM as Zones A, AE and VE, including floodways. Zone VE is also the Coastal High Hazard Area. The maps are on file in Town Hall, and the adopted mapping takes precedence when it is more restrictive until FEMA issues a map amendment.
Section 102-12 is the permit gate. A development permit must be obtained before construction or development begins, on forms furnished by the Building Inspector, and § 102-13 appoints the Building Inspector to grant or deny applications. The application calls for plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing structures, fill, storage of material and drainage facilities, plus the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, of all structures. Engineer or architect certification is required that floodproofing of any nonresidential structure meets the criteria in § 102-18B. The applicant also describes how any watercourse will be altered or relocated and submits plans for any walls enclosing space below the base flood level.
Other limits stack on top of the permit. Section 102-18(D) prohibits manufactured homes in Zones A, AE and VE. Recreational vehicles must be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be ready for highway use (§ 102-18(E)). Section 102-23 treats an entire structure as inside the flood zone if any portion, including an attached deck, garage or sunroom, lies within it, and § 102-25 bars new construction entirely or partially over water unless the use is functionally dependent. In a floodway, encroachments including fill are prohibited unless an engineer certifies a (0.00 feet) increase in flood levels (§ 102-20).
Violations & Fines
Section 102-16 makes any violation of Chapter 102, including a breach of the conditions attached to a variance or special exception, a misdemeanor. On conviction the fine is not more than $250 per day per violation, plus all costs and reasonable legal fees in the case. The Town of Stratford can also take any other lawful action needed to prevent or remedy the violation. Section 102-8 bars any structure or land from being constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build an addition in a Stratford flood zone?
Which flood maps does Stratford use?
Can I park a recreational vehicle in a flood zone in Stratford?
Can I fill or build in a regulatory floodway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stratford
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