Little Falls Officials Take Action to Comply with New State Guidelines on Flooding

LITTLE FALLS, NJ - The Little Falls Township Council recently introduced two ordinances designed to address new flood hazard regulations mandated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). These ordinances aim to ensure compliance with federal requirements, protecting residents' eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A public hearing and second reading for both ordinances are scheduled for December 16.

Ordinance No. 1506 proposes updates to the township's floodplain regulations. These changes include adopting new flood hazard maps, designating a Floodplain Administrator, and ensuring that future construction projects comply with updated base flood elevation requirements. The updates are in response to mandatory DEP rules designed to reduce flood risks and limit federal flood insurance claims. Ordinance No. 1507 amends Chapter 71 to establish a fee structure related to construction permits for properties in these flood zones.

The new regulations impose stricter limits on homeowners looking to renovate their properties. Residents in designated flood hazard areas will now be restricted to spending no more than 50% of their property's improvement value (excluding land value) on renovations within a three-year period. Exceeding this limit could trigger a requirement to elevate the home to meet new flood elevation standards. Permits will also be required for various types of work, including roofing, siding, driveway paving, and HVAC replacements. However, unlike many municipalities, Little Falls plans to waive additional permit fees for residential properties in these areas, ensuring that homeowners are not further burdened. Commercial properties, however, will face a $500 fee for improvements.

Mayor James Damiano has expressed concern about the financial strain these regulations will place on residents already burdened by living in flood-prone areas. He emphasized the unfairness of requiring homeowners to shoulder the cost of elevating their homes if their improvements exceed the threshold. "The state's intention may be good, aiming to reduce future flood damage claims," Damiano stated. "But the burden this places on individual homeowners is deeply unfair. These changes could significantly limit residents' ability to improve their homes without incurring costly requirements like elevating their properties."

To ensure residents fully understand the changes and their implications, the township will host a town hall meeting, with hopes of having representatives from the DEP, state, and county provide detailed explanations of the new rules and answer questions. The town hall date and location will be announced soon, with notifications sent directly to residents in flood hazard zones.

Damiano is also recommending a three-year "look-back" period for tracking home improvement costs, rather than the five or 10 years allowed by the DEP. This approach would limit the financial strain on homeowners while slightly affecting the township's Community Rating System (CRS) score, which impacts flood insurance discounts.

The new regulations aim to reduce flood risks and the financial impact of future disasters on taxpayers. However, they shift a significant burden to homeowners in flood-prone areas, requiring them to closely track improvement costs and adhere to stricter standards.

Damiano acknowledged the challenges these ordinances present but stressed the importance of compliance to maintain residents' access to affordable flood insurance. "We understand these requirements are difficult, but they're necessary to protect our community and meet state and federal regulations."

Residents are encouraged to attend the December 16 public hearing to share their thoughts on the ordinances and to participate in the upcoming town hall for more information.