Floodplain Regulations

Why does the federal government back and provide flood insurance?

The Federal Government agrees to back flood insurance in exchange for communities enacting and enforcing floodplain regulations [the minimum standards can be read in Chapter 44 of Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR 59 and 60)]. What does this mean for you? It means that all 39 local communities in the state of Rhode Island enforce at least these minimum standards. Ttherefore structures developed and constructed within designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, zones with a higher risk of flooding, must meet or exceed these standards.

Keep in mind, these regulations are designed to protect your investment by ensuring your structure is more resilient to flood hazards!

Where do I find my communities local standards?

• State Building Code
  • The Rhode Island Building Code Commission has adopted and incorporated the 2006 International Codes into the Rhode Island State Building Code. The vast majority of the regulations required by the NFIP are included within the International Building Code and the Internatioanl Residential Code.
• Local Ordinances
  • While most requirements are in the State Building Code, some additional provisions and requirements are required of the local communities. Contact your local NFIP contact to review the ordinance in your community.
• Additional Requirements for Development in the Floodplain can be found with the following departments:
  • Coastal Resources Management Council
  • Department of Environmental Management

The Trials of the Coastal A

Lately, many questions have been directed at the Floodplain Management Program and the State Building Code Commission regarding the Coastal A Zone. Here we try to clarify some of the more confusing aspects of the Coastal A zone.

What is the Coastal A Zone?

As defined, the Coastal A Zone is the area landward of a V zone, or landward of an open coast without mapped V zones. In a Coastal A zone, the principal source of flooding will be astronomical tides, storm surges, seiches or tsunamis, not riverine flooding. During base flood conditions, the potential for wave heights between 1.5 and 3.0' will exist. At least 2 to 4' of stillwater depth is necessary to support these wave heights.

What does the Coastal A Zone mean to me?

In the State of Rhode Island, because we have adopted to the International Building Code and the State Building Code explicitly refers to ASCE 24, Standard for Flood Resistant Design and Construction, structures constructed in a Coastal A Zone need to be built to V Zone standards.

Currently, the Coastal A Zone is not delineated on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (because it is not regulated under the NFIP). However, Rhode Island law includes specific design requirements for buildings in a Coastal A. Therefore, you need to know if you are in a Coastal A or not. A licensed professional, as authorized by law, can help determine whether or not the wave heights are above or equal to 1.5 feet and you are in a Coastal A.

The following documents provide additional information:

• Design and Construction in Coastal A Zones (FEMA January 2009)
  Recommendation and discussion of Coastal A Zone during the recovery from Hurricane Ike
• Procedure Memorandum No. 50 (FEMA December 2008)
  New FEMA mapping policy and procedures for identifying and mapping areas subject to wave heights greater than or equal to 1.5 feet as an Informational Layer on FIRMs.

As we discover and/or create additional guidance on the Coastal A Zone, we will provide that information here. In the mean time, if you have any questions, you are always encouraged to contact your local NFIP contact, building official, or the RIEMA Floodplain Management Program staff.