Hazard Mitigation

The city’s zoning code includes two overlay districts designed to protect people and property from natural hazards. 

The Floodplain Overlay District exceeds the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s minimum requirements (§60-892 et seq.). It requires all new or rehabilitated structures in special flood hazard zones to be elevated (or floodproofed) to one foot above base flood elevations. 

The Shoreland Overlay District restricts development and disturbance of vegetation near water bodies (§60-982 et seq.). It requires all new structures to be set back at least 100 feet from the normal high-water line of great ponds and their rivers and 75 feet from all other water bodies.