Floodplains | Des Plaines, IL

Construction in Flood Hazard Areas

The City has created the Guide to Construction in Flood Hazard Areas to assist homeowners in identifying requirements pertinent to construction within designated floodplain and floodway areas. These requirements are essential to making the right move.

A floodplain is land that is subject to inundation by the 100-year frequency flood as identified on the FEMA Map (City of Des Plaines, effective date of August 19, 2008). A floodway is the part of the floodplain immediately adjacent to and including the river or creek as identified on the FEMA Map (City of Des Plaines, effective date of August 19, 2008). The floodway needs to be preserved in order to convey and store flood flows.

Applying for a Permit

All new construction (homes, building additions, garages, fences, etc.) in a floodway or floodplain requires a development permit from the Community and Economic Development (CED) department. Special conditions and building requirements exist for building in these areas. They can be found in Title 14 of the City Code, "Flood Control". Apply for the permit (with your plat of survey) in the CED office, on the third floor of City Hall. You can also contact the CED office at 847-391-5380. If it is unclear whether or not your property is located in a floodway or floodplain, CED will send the application to the Engineering Department for a flood zone determination (2-3 days).

More Information

View Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) information on permitted projects, and a guide to repairs and remodeling in flood hazard areas:

View FEMA maps and the general City of Des Plaines floodplain information page:

FEMA Floodplain Determination Request Form

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are used to identify flood zones to determine flood insurance rates. Property owners or prospective property owners can request confirmation regarding the property's floodplain determination by completing this Floodplain Request Form. Responses can be expected within 24 to 48 hours.

For questions or inquires, please contact our Engineering Division at 847-391-5390.

Please use one form per request.

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