Cass County, ND Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Cass County, ND, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All mapped special flood hazard areas
- Basis
- Sept. 5, 2025 FIS/FIRM
- Enforced by
- County Floodplain Administrator
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 30 days jail
- Adopted
- April 20, 2026 (Ord. #2025-01)
Summary
Cass County requires full compliance with its floodplain ordinance before any structure or land in a mapped special flood hazard area is built, altered, or extended, under Ordinance #2025-01.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.
Full Breakdown
The ordinance applies to every special flood hazard area Cass County has mapped under the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for the county dated September 5, 2025. Before any building, fill, grading, or other development proceeds in one of those zones, the property owner must comply with the ordinance's construction and floodproofing standards. The county's Floodplain Administrator reviews applications, and owners who ignore the requirement face criminal penalties, not just a stop-work order.
Violations & Fines
A misdemeanor: up to a $500 fine, 30 days in jail, or both, plus court costs, with each day the violation continues charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply outside a mapped flood zone?
What happens if I build without complying?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cass County
Compare Cass County to another location·View the North Dakota environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.