Warwick, RI Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

1, the flood hazard overlay district covers land subject to inundation by the 100-year flood, mapped as zones AE (flood zone) or VE (velocity zone). 2 requires anyone proposing a manmade change to land in that district, including mining, building construction, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling, to first obtain a development permit from the building official. Applicants must submit the accurate location of the work, the nature and extent of the proposed activity, site elevations relative to mean sea level, a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program elevation certificate submitted at completion of the foundation, and a description of any watercourse alteration or relocation.

The building official reviews the application to confirm the development will be reasonably safe from flooding and that any altered watercourse retains its flood-carrying capacity, notifying adjacent communities, the Rhode Island division of planning and FEMA before approving any watercourse relocation. 4 flatly bars a development permit for fill, new construction or other encroachment within the mapped floodway unless the applicant proves to the building official's satisfaction that flood levels during a 100-year flood will not rise. 7: sand dune alteration is prohibited outright, and all new construction must sit landward of the reach of mean high tide. The ordinance was last amended by Ord. No. O-23-24 on December 20, 2023.