Oregon Statewide Rule

Oregon Statewide Floodplain And NFIP Compliance Standards

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Oregon (2026)

Oregon's Statewide Planning Goal 7 and ORS 197.180 require every city and county to adopt floodplain regulations meeting or exceeding FEMA National Flood Insurance Program minimums. State building code chapters bind floodplain construction statewide.

Key Facts

Goal: Statewide Planning Goal 7
Code section: ORSC R322 / OSSC 1612
Insurance program: FEMA NFIP
Coordinator: DLCD floodplain program
Trigger: Special Flood Hazard Area

Source: City of Oregon

Full Breakdown

Statewide Planning Goal 7 (Areas Subject to Natural Hazards) and ORS 197.180 obligate Oregon cities and counties to apply FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Area regulations, restrict development that would raise base flood elevation, and require lowest-floor elevation or floodproofing per the Oregon Residential Specialty Code R322 and Oregon Structural Specialty Code Section 1612. The Department of Land Conservation and Development coordinates the state's NFIP participation and reviews ordinances. Failure to maintain compliant local rules risks NFIP suspension, ending federally backed flood insurance and disaster assistance for residents. Substantial improvement and substantial damage thresholds apply uniformly statewide.

Violations & Penalties

Building below base flood elevation without proper elevation or floodproofing violates the state building code, can void NFIP coverage, and exposes owners to enforcement under ORS 455.895.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my city allow building in a FEMA flood zone without elevation?

No. Goal 7 and the Oregon building code require elevation or floodproofing of the lowest floor in Special Flood Hazard Areas; non-compliance can suspend the city's NFIP participation.

What counts as substantial improvement in a flood zone?

Any reconstruction, addition, or repair whose cost equals 50 percent or more of the structure's pre-improvement market value, triggering full floodplain compliance under R322.

Sources

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Oregon Statewide Floodplain And NFIP Compliance Standards

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Oregon (2026)

Full Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my city allow building in a FEMA flood zone without elevation?

No. Goal 7 and the Oregon building code require elevation or floodproofing of the lowest floor in Special Flood Hazard Areas; non-compliance can suspend the city's NFIP participation.

What counts as substantial improvement in a flood zone?

Any reconstruction, addition, or repair whose cost equals 50 percent or more of the structure's pre-improvement market value, triggering full floodplain compliance under R322.