FEMA flood zone rules in West Allis, WI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
The City of West Allis participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development in conformance with Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116, plus 44 CFR Parts 59-72. Honey Creek (a tributary of the Menomonee River) and the Kinnickinnic River watershed run through the city and are the principal regulated waterways. The city maintains a public Flooding Tracker GIS service that shows the FEMA 100-year floodplain and floodlines for West Allis. Development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas requires zoning approval; new residential structures are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and habitable space in the flood fringe must be elevated to the flood protection elevation.
Under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30, every Wisconsin municipality with mapped floodplain or NFIP participation must adopt and enforce a floodplain zoning ordinance meeting the minimum standards of Chapter NR 116, Wis. Admin. Code, and 44 CFR Parts 59-72. West Allis administers floodplain zoning within its corporate limits and publishes a Flooding Tracker FEMA Floodplain GIS service (geowebmap.westalliswi.gov) that delineates the 100 Year Floodplain Areas and 100 Year Flood Line for the city. Honey Creek - the subject of long-running flood-mitigation concerns documented by SEWRPC, MMSD, and the City of Milwaukee - and tributaries of the Kinnickinnic River system are the principal flood sources within West Allis. Under NR 116 standards, new residential structures and most fill are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and structures in the flood fringe must have the lowest floor of habitable space elevated to or above the flood protection elevation (the regional 1% annual chance flood elevation plus freeboard, generally 2 feet under NR 116.13). FEMA's Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) and the Wisconsin DNR Floodplain Mapping Program are the authoritative sources for the effective FIRM panels covering Milwaukee County and West Allis. The Wisconsin DNR reviews and approves local floodplain ordinance amendments before they take effect.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30(2) and NR 116.21 require enforcement of local floodplain zoning. Filling, structural development, or occupancy of habitable space in the floodway, or building below the flood protection elevation in the flood fringe, can result in citation, daily forfeitures, removal/restoration orders, and loss of NFIP eligibility for the property. Misrepresenting elevation data on a permit application is independently actionable. Failure of a community to enforce can lead to suspension from the NFIP under 44 CFR Part 59.
West Allis, WI
Animal noise in West Allis falls under the general noise ordinance §7.035 and the city's animal ordinances. Persistent barking disturbing neighbors is subjec...
West Allis, WI
West Allis regulates noise and vibration under Municipal Code §7.035. The West Allis Health Department is the primary enforcement agency; Police Department m...
West Allis, WI
West Allis regulates amplified music under the noise ordinance. Wisconsin State Fair Park events operate under separate state permits. Residential areas near...
West Allis, WI
RV and recreational vehicle parking in West Allis residential areas is governed by city zoning code. Generally one RV per lot is permitted with setback requi...
West Allis, WI
Large commercial vehicles are restricted in West Allis residential zones under city zoning code. Contact West Allis Code Enforcement for specific requirements.
West Allis, WI
West Allis requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Milwaukee County.
See how other cities in Milwaukee County handle flood zones.
See how West Allis's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.