Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Williston adopts floodplain ordinance updates to comply with state law
Summary
The City Commission approved second readings of Ordinances 1177 and 1178 to update the Flood Hazard Overlay District and adopt new flood elevation standards after state legislation (SB 2027) required communities to update floodplain management ordinances by June 1, 2026 to remain in the NFIP.
The Williston City Commission on April 14 approved second readings of Ordinances 1177 and 1178 to update the city’s floodplain regulations and adopt flood elevation standards consistent with changes to state law.
Mark Schneider, Director of Development Services, said the North Dakota Legislature enacted Senate Bill 2027 during the 2025 session, which amended state floodplain management statutes and requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to bring local ordinances into compliance. Schneider relayed guidance from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources that communities failing to update ordinances by June 1, 2026 risk suspension from the NFIP.
The commission approved the second reading of Ordinance 1177, which amends the Flood Hazard Overlay District (including extraterritorial jurisdiction updates), and Ordinance 1178, which adopts flood elevations to comply with state law. The motions passed unanimously on recorded voice votes.
The ordinance updates implement the state-directed changes and are intended to preserve Williston’s participation in the NFIP by ensuring local floodplain management aligns with the State and federal requirements spelled out in SB 2027 and related Department of Water Resources guidance.
