Flood Plain

National Flood Insurance Program

The United States Congress approved the National Flood Insurance Act in 1968 which created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA sets minimum standards for floodplain development that must be adopted at the local level for communities to participate in the NFIP. FEMA encourages local governments to adopt higher standards that further protect life and property. FEMA is also responsible for developing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) that show the locations of floodplain boundaries. The maps are produced using the best available technical information and may be amended through FEMA's Letter of Map Change process. FIRM’s are used by local communities to administer flood damage reduction regulations and by insurance companies to determine flood insurance requirements.

Franklin County Floodplain Administration

Franklin County flood damage reduction regulations protect life and property, encourage development outside of regulatory floodplains, promote mitigation and floodproofing techniques, encourage greenways and passive recreational opportunities, reduce public funds used in relief efforts, and maintain the County’s eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Participating in the NFIP allows Franklin County residents to purchase Federally-backed flood insurance that is not available, or that is extremely expensive, through a standard homeowner’s insurance policy.

Franklin County’s flood damage reduction regulation was adopted on September 26, 1978 and is titled the Special Resolution National Flood Insurance Program Regulation. The regulation addresses the requirements for developing in regulatory floodplains and applies to all unincorporated areas of Franklin County. This regulation does not apply to properties located in a city or village within Franklin County. The Special Resolution NFIP Regulation requires, prior to any development in a regulatory floodplain, that an NFIP permit be issued. Development includes any man-made change to a property including but not limited to the construction of buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials. The full Franklin County Special Resolution NFIP Regulation, NFIP permit application, and application fee schedule are provided below.

Special Resolution NFIP Regulation
NFIP permit
Fee schedule

Additional approvals may be required prior to developing in a regulatory floodplain by your community’s zoning regulation. Please contact the Franklin County Floodplain Administrator to discuss any additional requirements.

Useful Links

Interactive Floodplain Map
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Floodplain Management Program
Floodsmart.gov - The official site of the NFIP
NFIP Technical Bulletins
FEMA forms

Contact: [email protected]