St. Louis County approves new floodplain ordinance after 30 years

The St. Louis County Board approved a new floodplain ordinance during its meeting on Tuesday, February 25. The new ordinance—officially known as Floodplain Ordinance 69—is the result of a lengthy process and follows the recommendation of the St. Louis County Planning Commission.

It was necessary to ensure the county's floodplain management measures are in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. NFIP compliance is needed in order for the county to be able to issue permits within a flood plain, and for property owners in the county to be able to be eligible for flood insurance.

The purpose of the ordinance is to regulate development in the flood hazard areas of St. Louis County. It identifies when permits are required, ensures that new development does not cause increased flooding elsewhere, and contains standards to ensure that new buildings will be protected from base flood.

Last fall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) in St. Louis County. These FIRMs are adopted as part of Ordinance 69. These FIRMs are now digital and can be viewed on FEMA's website.

One of the most notable parts of the new ordinance relate to Lake Vermilion. A statistical analysis of the base flood elevation (BFE) of Lake Vermilion was completed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in December of 2024. It resulted in the BFE being reduced by 1.5 feet. This will directly benefit Lake Vermilion property owners' structure specific flood zone designations.

Additionally, an accessory structure that is considered minimal investment was increased to 576 square feet in the new ordinance. Previously an accessory structure that is considered minimal investment was limited to 500 square feet. These structures may be utilized for parking or storage and allow wet floodproofing.

The full Floodplain Ordinance 69 can be found online at stlouiscountymn.gov/pz. The county's previous flood plain ordinance was more than 30 years old, with the most recent updates made in 2002.