3100 PURPOSE

3100.1 This chapter and the flood-resistant construction provisions of the District of Columbia Construction Codes (together referred to as the Floodplain Management Regulations) promote public health, safety, and general welfare, and minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in flood hazard areas.

3100.2 This chapter establishes minimum requirements that are designed to:

(a) Mitigate the impact of flooding on properties in the District;

(b) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or may increase flood hazards to other lands;

(c) Restrict or prohibit certain uses, activities, and development inside areas subject to flooding;

(d) Require uses, activities, and developments that occur in flood-prone areas to be protected to prevent flood damage; and

(e) Regulate uses, activities, and development that, acting alone or in combination with other existing or future uses, activities, and development, will cause unacceptable increases in flood heights, velocities, and frequencies that may affect other properties.

3100.3 The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is based on scientific and engineering considerations and is intended to minimize the degree and extent of flood damage. The regulations and the construction codes are designed to keep properties reasonably safe from flooding. Enforcement of these regulations and the construction codes does not imply that land outside the flood hazard areas, or that uses permitted inside the flood hazard areas, will be free from flooding or flood damage. Larger floods can and will occur. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 32 DCR 6547 (November 15, 1985); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 10764 (November 19, 2010); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 006821 (June 20, 2025).