Model Ordinances

Nebraska's Model Floodplain Ordinances

Every community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has a locally adopted floodplain management ordinance or resolution that establishes development standards within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), commonly referred to as the floodplain, or within flood prone areas if the community doesn't have a mapped flood hazard area. These ordinances must meet the State's requirements for floodplain development established in Nebraska Minimum Standards for Floodplain Management Programs as well as the Federal requirements in 44 CFR Chapter 1, Part 60.3.

Under the authority of Neb. Rev. Stat. §31-1017(6), the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division has developed model floodplain ordinances that communities may use as a template for drafting their local standards for floodplain development, provided community leadership review it for appropriate inclusion with the larger set of ordinances. These model ordinances are designed to meet State and Federal standards, and help communities maintain good standing in the NFIP. The 2026 model now includes an all-new guide for adopting standards that exceed State and Federal minimums to best address local flood hazards.

All ordinances must be reviewed and approved by the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division and FEMA before being adopted. Please contact anyone on the Floodplain Outreach Team to get started today:

Anna Crist: Anna.crist@nebraska.gov or 402-471-0585

Erin Wendt: Erin.wendt@nebraska.gov or 402-471-0572

Isabella Bialas: Isabella.bialas@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3929

Mercy Kipenda: Mercy.kipenda@nebraska.gov or 402-471-3947

Model Ordinances

Nebraska's model ordinances are formatted as stand-alone ordinances and may be adapted to fit entirely as a section within a larger zoning ordinance, local building code, or remain as a standalone floodplain management ordinance. The models establish floodplain and floodway areas and the regulations that apply within each. If the community chooses to break the model language into pieces to be placed into various sections of local code, all pieces must be included to remain in good standing with the NFIP. State and Federal code references have been included under each line or section within the model ordinance.

Each model is contained within a larger guidance document that includes the following:

Table of Contents
Letter from the NFIP Coordinator
Ordinance Drafting Instructions and Checklist
Model Ordinance
Guide to Optional or Higher Standards for Floodplain Administration

60.3(a) Model Ordinance - 2026: For communities with no published FIRMs (FEMA mapped floodplains have not been established). This ordinance sets general development standards within areas identified by local leadership as “flood prone” using best available information.

60.3(b) Model Ordinance - 2026: For communities with a basic floodplain study showing Zone A areas with no base flood elevations. This ordinance sets minimum development standards within FEMA mapped floodplain areas.

60.3(c) Model Ordinance - 2026: For communities with an enhanced floodplain study showing Zone AE, AH, and/or AO areas with base flood elevations, but without a designated floodway. This ordinance sets minimum development standards within FEMA mapped floodplain areas and adopts the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) allowing the interpolation of base flood elevations.

60.3(d) Model Ordinance - 2026: For communities with an enhanced study where within at least one Zone AE area, a regulatory floodway is shown on the FIRM. The FIRMs may also show Zone A, AH and/or AO areas. This ordinance establishes minimum development standards for each flood zone, and sets additional limitations for development within identified floodway areas for the purpose of safely conveying the base flood.

For editable Word Document versions of the model ordinance, please contact the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division. For general questions about the 2026 Model Ordinance, please contact Elijah Kaufman at elijah.kaufman@nebraska.gov or 402-471-0640.

The DWEE Floodplain Management team has provided Nebraska with a model floodplain ordinance since 1997, with updates to the model occurring in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2017, and the most recent update process beginning in 2024. The 2024 update process resulted in the 2026 Model Ordinance effective today.

As with previous updates, a model ordinance review committee was organized consisting of FEMA staff, Floodplain Management staff, the Nebraska League of Municipalities, local floodplain administrators, zoning officials, emergency managers, and community planners. The committee met on three occasions; once to review the 2017 model, a second time to review the first draft of the new model, and again to review the final draft before it was sent to FEMA for final approval. In all, the committee submitted 71 comments, which were discussed amongst committee members and integrated into the new model. Below are the slides from each of the committee meetings.

After the final draft of the model was produced, it was then piloted with four Nebraska communities to test its usability and accuracy before the statewide release. Between the committee, community pilots, and internal drafting process, over 250 changes were made to the 2017 model ranging from small spelling errors to the complete revision of sections. Most notably, the model was reformatted, and sections were reorganized for ease of use. All language was reviewed to improve alignment with federal and state requirements. A summary of the most notable changes can be found below:

2017 - 2026 Model Summary of Changes

Higher & Optional Standards

The following guide from the Nebraska Model Ordinance provides communities with examples of optional and higher floodplain management standards that go beyond State and Federal minimum requirements. Based on common practices in other states and communities, this document includes a range of additional standards that communities may choose to implement.

This guide should not be seen as a comprehensive list of every possible higher standard for floodplain development. Local communities may choose to customize the floodplain ordinance with other local higher standards not included in this document to best address specific flood hazards. The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Floodplain Regulations Committee also produced “A Guide for Higher Standards in Floodplain Management” which includes additional higher standards not listed in this guide. For specific questions about implementation, please contact the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division.