Flooding
Building in the Floodplain/Floodway
Structures located in the floodplain or floodway are subject to
additional building regulations designed to protect not only the
structure but also the floodplain. If you are contemplating a modification
to your existing home, contact the Village before starting your
design so that you understand the regulations before you get too
far along in the process. Please remember that ANY modification
to a structure in the floodplain may require a permit.
You may be able to construct an addition to a structure in the
floodplain. In general, the cost of the addition must be less than
fifty-percent of the value of the structure itself. This regulation
is known as the Substantial Improvement rule. It is designed to
limit the exposure of damage to structures in the floodplain. If
the cost of the proposed addition would exceed the fifty-percent
threshold, then the entire structure must be brought into compliance
with the floodplain regulations.
Additions to structures in the floodplain may be located above
the existing footprint or may expand the footprint of the structure.
If the footprint is expanded, the additional area must comply with
the floodplain requirements, which typically requires that the
addition be elevated. You may not expand the footprint of structures
in the floodway.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hughes, Village Engineer,
at (847) 883-8600. |