The City of Hampton requires that all proposed development in the 100-year floodplain, not just construction of buildings, be reviewed and permitted in compliance with the City's Floodplain Zone District Ordinance. The Department of Codes Compliance administers the ordinance through the issuance of permits, inspection of construction, and collection and maintenance of FEMA Elevation Certificates to show the final elevation of new and substantially improved construction. Note that garages, sheds, additions, and fill all require permits from Codes Compliance.

Contact Codes Compliance at 727-8311, or visit online at www.hampton.gov/codes to find out the requirements for floodplain construction before you build, fill or otherwise develop flood-prone land.

If you see illegal floodplain development, please report the activity by calling the City's 311 Customer Call Center and an inspector will follow up with the property owner.

Map of the Local Flood Hazard

There are at least four ways to determine the flood hazard for your home:

• Visit the Department of Codes Compliance on the 3rd floor of City Hall where staff will show you the floodplain maps and help you locate your property. Bring along a plat, if available, to help pinpoint your property.
• Online, you can go to www.hampton.gov/sol/propertysearch, "Search by Address" to pull up the page for your home, click on "Map (GIS)" on the upper right, click "Select View" and use the pull down menu to select "Flood Zones", and wait for the map to refresh. The flood zone for your neighborhood will be shown on the map. Clicking on each zone then brings up more detailed information on that zone.
• Online, visit FEMA's Map Service Center where you can digitally search by your address, or zoom in on your neighborhood on the floodplain map.
• Visit the Hampton Public Library, Main Branch, and the Virginiana Room, to see the library’s set of floodplain maps. Instructions are provided.