Vermont Flood Hazard Area Regulation Statewide

Under 10 V.S.A. Sections 753 and 754 and 24 V.S.A. Section 4424, Vermont municipalities must adopt flood hazard area regulations that meet or exceed FEMA NFIP minimum standards to maintain flood insurance eligibility. The state model bylaw, river corridor protection rules, and the Department of Environmental Conservation's Rivers Program set uniform criteria for elevation, floodway prohibitions, and substantial improvement thresholds. Vermont also regulates river corridors and stream alteration through 10 V.S.A. Section 1021. Towns cannot weaken these standards, and ANR comments on local floodplain permits are statutorily required for many projects.

Building below base flood elevation or within floodways without a permit can result in NFIP non-compliance, civil penalties, and required structure removal or elevation.