Massachusetts State Building Code Flood Hazard Construction Standards

The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR), authorized by MGL c.143 §94, incorporates ASCE 24 flood-resistant design and construction standards in Special Flood Hazard Areas mapped by FEMA. All cities and towns must enforce the code as a minimum; the Board of Building Regulations and Standards maintains a single statewide code, eliminating local building-code variation. Local floodplain bylaws may add restrictions but cannot weaken structural and elevation requirements set by the state code.

Building without flood-zone compliance can result in stop-work orders, denial of certificates of occupancy, and ineligibility for NFIP flood insurance under MGL c.143 §94 enforcement.