New York Updating its Flood Resilience Zoning

New York City intends to make sure that zoning codes are a tool for preventing the risks of flooding.

1 minute read

September 27, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Flooding in Howard Beach

Pamela Andrade / Flickr

The New York Department of City Planning is currently working to update Flood Resilience Zoning rules adopted after Superstore Sandy. According to an explainers post on the NYC Planning website, the department is working with  community members and property owners to create and approve a citywide zoning text amendment. 

The Flood Resilience Zoning update is a part of the OneNYC plan, according to the post, and the new zoning amendment will be informed by the department's efforts "in specific neighborhoods – in residential, commercial and manufacturing areas – throughout the city’s floodplain…" The new zoning codes were preceded by climate resilience design guidelines published in June 2017.

In addition to explaining the risk of flooding in any given year in different parts of the city, the post also explains the relation between zoning and flood risks. According to the post, flood resilient zoning can  reduce flood risk, promote resilient and vibrant neighborhoods, and plan for adaptation to climate change and sea level rise.

The department also created a video to explain these concepts and more in a visual format.

Thursday, September 21, 2017 in NYC Planning

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

4 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

6 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post