Floodplain Management

The Community Development Department is responsible for Floodplain Management within the City of O’Fallon.  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces and maintains Floodplain Maps, but it falls upon the local jurisdiction to manage development with the floodplains to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal requirements.

• Review and evaluate floodplain development permit applications; determine whether or not the development will take place in the floodplain.
• Interpret floodplain boundaries and provide base flood elevation data where available.
• Review plans and specifications for conformance with the community’s floodplain ordinance.
• Advise applicants of other state, federal, or local permit requirements.
• Provide notification of changes to existing watercourses to FEMA and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR / Office of Water Resources (OWR).
• Issue or deny floodplain development permits.
• Inspect development in progress to field check development location and to verify that construction proceeds in conformance with approved plans.
• Maintain records of floodplain development, including number of floodplain permits granted, documentation of any variance actions, and copies of elevation or  floodproofing certificates.
• Investigate violations of the floodplain ordinance and take appropriate corrective action.
• Advise community officials and public on matters involving floodplain management regulations.
• Counsel permit applicants and local officials on variance criteria.
• Maintain the community floodplain maps to keep them up to date and accurate