FEMA flood zone rules in Wayne County, MI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Wayne County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA flood maps govern construction in SFHAs along the Rouge, Detroit, Huron, and Ecorse rivers and Lake Erie shoreline.
Wayne County and its participating municipalities are members of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) identify Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs, generally Zones A and AE) along the Rouge River, Detroit River, Huron River, Ecorse Creek, and Lake Erie coastal floodplain. Development in SFHAs requires a floodplain development permit from the local community, elevation of the lowest floor to or above Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and use of flood-damage-resistant materials below BFE. Federally backed mortgages on SFHA properties require flood insurance. Many Wayne County communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), which discounts insurance premiums for residents. EGLE administers Part 31 floodplain regulations (MCL 324.3101 et seq.) requiring state permits for structures in the 100-year floodplain of streams draining more than 2 square miles. Check FIRMs at msc.fema.gov or call the Wayne County Emergency Management Division.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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