FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
This webpage is designed to educate and assist Upper Darby Township Residents and Businesses in identifying flood hazard areas, mitigating against flood hazards risk and connecting to state and federal resources.
What is a flood?
A flood is when water overflows from a creek, storm water pipe, river or lake and flows onto land that is normally dry. Flooding can happen slowly over a long period of rain or it can happen in minutes like a Flash Flood.
What is a floodplain?
A floodplain or Special Flood Hazard Area is an area of land adjacent to a water resource such as a creek or river that is prone to flooding. The floodplain can generally be broken down into two sections, the Floodway and the 1% Flood Hazard area (formally known as the 100-year Floodplain).
Is my property in a floodplain?
Whenever you purchase a property or business it is important to determine if your property is in the Special Flood Hazard Area. This is important because being in the floodplain greatly increases your risk of flooding and could result in the need for flood insurance or improvements to prevent flooding damage.
To determine if your property is in the Special Flood Plain Hazard Area use the link to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Once you are on the webpage, enter your properties address and click search.
Floodplain Ordinance and Policies
Upper Darby adopted its most current Floodplain Management Ordinance on September 16, 2015. Ordinance No. 3024 or Section 305 of the codified code describes the authority, administration, identification of floodplain areas, technical provisions, prohibited activities, improvements on existing structures, variance procedures and definitions of the floodplain code. Upper Darby through it's Floodplain Ordinance regulates any development in the 1% Flood Hazard Area.
The Floodplain Ordinance is administered by the Upper Darby Floodplain Manager. The Floodplain Manager works in conjunction with the Department of Licenses and Inspections and the Emergency Management Coordinator.
The management and policy procedures for permitting, substantial improvement and substantial damage can be found here. Any property seeking a building permit in the floodplain must be granted a floodplain permit.
Documents
SI/SD Administrative Procedures
Comprehensive Floodplain Submission Checklist
Sample of Substantial Damage Worksheet
Sample of Substantial Improvement Worksheet
Sample Letter for Substantial Improvement Determination
Sample Letter for Substantial Damage Determination
Sample Letter for Non-Substantial Determination
Resources
