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Current Flood Hazard Rules (Published 2010)
Flood Zone Building Permits are required for new construction or development in the District’s Floodplains. All development projects in the regulated floodplains must comply with the 12 DCMR - DC Construction Codes (Managed by DOB) and 20 DCMR Chapter 31 - Flood Hazard Rules (Managed by DOEE).
Updates to the Flood Hazard Rules (Proposed 2024)
DOEE is updating its 20 DCMR Chapter 31 - Flood Hazard Rules to ensure that the District's buildings and residents are more resilient to increased flood risk as a result of climate change.
- View a PDF of the Rulemaking >>
Open for Public Comment through September 2, 2024
The proposed rulemaking was published in the DC Register on July 19, 2024. It will be open for public comment for 45 days. Please submit comments by September 2, 2024 to [email protected].
Public Information Sessions
DOEE will host two public information sessions via webinar to present an overview of the updated Flood Hazard Rules and highlight what has changed since 2010.
Thursday, August 1 Webinar at 12:00PM
WebEx Access >>
Meeting number: 2309 071 1765
Password: fRkviAUE238
Join by video system
Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone
+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
Access code: 230 907 11765
Tuesday, August 13 Webinar at 3:00PM
WebEx Access >>
Meeting number: 2306 813 2917
Password: R6qR8Unqpg6
Join by video system
Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone
+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
Access code: 230 681 32917
Rulemaking Timeline
After the comment period closes, DOEE will make revisions based on the feedback received. If the revisions are minor, DOEE will issue a notice of Final Rulemaking and the new rules will become effective 30 days after the notice is published. The earliest effective date would be some time in December 2024, but the process may take months longer.
If revisions from the July proposed rulemaking are substantial, DOEE will issue a second notice of proposed rulemaking and gather feedback during another public comment period. After a second round of revisions, DOEE would then issue a notice of Final Rulemaking. The new rules would become effective 30 days after the notice is published.
Past Outreach for the 2024 Proposed Flood Hazard Rules
DOEE began the process of updating the Flood Hazard Rules in March 2020 and held several opportunities for feedback over the past several years. View those summarized opportunities, which include video recordings and presentations.