West Haven, CT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 111 of the West Haven Code was adopted by the City Council on 4-11-1983 as Ord. No. 201. Section 111-1 finds that flood areas of the City are subject to periodic inundation from shoreline hazard areas hit by tidal and storm flooding. Section 111-2 sets the purpose: restrict or prohibit uses dangerous due to water, erosion or flood heights and velocities, require flood-vulnerable uses to be protected at the time of initial construction, control alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and protective barriers, control filling, grading, dredging and other development that increases erosion or flood damage, and prevent or regulate flood barriers that divert floodwaters.

Under § 111-5 the Planning and Zoning Commission adopts and administers flood hazard area regulations and creates the permit procedure. The detailed elevation standards are in those regulations, not in the ordinance. The Director of Planning has duties under § 111-6: review development permits, confirm outside agency permits, notify adjacent communities and the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection before a watercourse is altered or relocated, and submit evidence of that notice to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With the City Engineer, the Director verifies and records the elevation of the lowest floor, including the basement, of all new or substantially improved structures, and the elevation to which they are floodproofed. In coastal high-hazard areas, a registered professional engineer must certify anchoring to pilings or columns, and the Director and the Building Official review breakaway walls.

Section 111-7 keeps records in the Planning and Zoning office open for public inspection. Section 111-8 designates the Flood and Erosion Control Board as the Flood Hazard Appeal Board, meeting at least quarterly. Section 111-9 requires a hearing within 15 working days of receiving an appeal and a written decision within 45 working days of the hearing's completion, sent by registered mail, with one extension of up to 45 working days if the applicant agrees.