Skip to content

Mayor and Council Approve Floodplain Ordinance Changes

City is Conducting Outreach and Offers Online Resources for Property Owners

Changes to the city’s floodplain ordinance, unanimously adopted by the Mayor and Council on Jan. 9, will create a more rigorous process for approving construction in the floodplain and remove previously allowed exemptions to what can be built there.


The floodplain is land near a stream that could be inundated by a so-called 100-year flood – a flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year. The city’s ordinance, which bans new development in the floodplain, was previously updated in 1992. Revisions to federal and state regulations require the city ordinance changes, which take effect July 1.
The changes include a new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirement that property owners in the floodplain obtain a permit. The permit will allow the city to set conditions on new construction, review and approve construction plans, inspect construction and obtain FEMA-required documentation. The changes also eliminate previously allowed exemptions for constructing new public facilities and minor projects in the floodplain, such as utilities, fences and play or seating equipment. These will now require permits.
City staff is sending letters to owners of properties within the floodplain to explain the new permitting requirements. Staff will guide property owners in making safer choices about placement and design of improvements to minimize potential flood damage. Staff will also contact owners of properties where improvements such as play equipment, picnic tables, sheds and fences are encroaching into the floodplain. Owners will be informed of the risks of flood damage to their property, and to properties downstream if unanchored improvements are washed away, and steps to take to manage those risks.
Property owners can visit www.rockvillemd.gov/floodplain to learn more about the ordinance and the National Flood Insurance Program, and to find flood preparation and safety tips and an interactive map that can help assess flood risks.

Most Recent Articles

West and Plummer to Lead Rockville Police Department

Acting Maj. Jason West will become acting chief and Maj. Troy Plummer acting deputy chief of the Rockville City Police Department, following the resignation of Chief Victor V. Brito, City Manager Jeff Mihelich has announced. The appointments take effect Friday,

Read More »

Recycle Your Pumpkins — But Compost Carefully!

Don’t let your pumpkins go to waste, try these pumpkin-recycling ideas!   Before you donate or compost your pumpkins, please check inside for candles or battery-powered lights. Pumpkins decorated with glitter, paint, stickers or other inorganic materials will contaminate the composting

Read More »

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get the best of “Rockville Reports” delivered right to your email and stay up to date on what’s happening in our city.

Contact Us

Email the City of Rockville’s Public Information Office.

About Rockville Reports

Rockville Reports is the official publication of the City of Rockville, published at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850-2364.