Restricting Floodplain Development in the Nation's Capital

The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment has read the writing on the wall.

1 minute read

January 19, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Lincoln Memorial

LouieLea / Shutterstock

"A DC agency is considering changes to the city's floodplain regulations which would restrict construction in areas expected to be underwater in 2100," reports Nena Perry-Brown.

Namely, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) "may amend its Flood Hazard Rules to expand the agency's purview over DC's floodplain, covering the 500-year floodplain rather than just the 100-year," according to Perry-Brown.

Those initial steps could all be prelude for an eventual decision by the DOEE to restrict development within the high tide mark—areas that are expected to be underwater by 2100.

"DOEE's proposed changes were included as part of a zoning application the Office of Planning (OP) filed to remove use prohibitions within the 100-year floodplain from the zoning code," adds Perry-Brown.

Monday, January 6, 2020 in Urban Turf

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.