Floodplains

Changes to Federal (FEMA) Floodplains

On July 8, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) adopted new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that show FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs).

Summary of Recent Changes to FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Links to the new FIRMs are here: 

25017C0532F Wares Cove
25017C0534F Lower Falls, Leo J Golf
25017C0551F Purgatory, Flowed Meadows, Cheese Cake (W)
25017C0552F Cheese Cake Brook & Charles River
25017C0553F Charles River (S), Quino
25017C0554F Crystal Lake, Cold Spr, S Meadow Brk (N)
25017C0556F Charles River (far NE)
25017C0558F Hammond Pond
25017C0561F Charles at Needham St
25017C0562F Charles River, Wells Ave, S Meadow Brk (S)
25017C0566F Saw Mill Brook

To look up a specific address, use the FEMA map service center to type in an address and print a FIRMette, a smaller map showing flood zone data around a specific address. 

With the new FIRMs now in place, some properties in Newton that used to be within a flood zone are now out of the flood zone, and some properties are newly in a flood zone. Property owners should be aware of their flood zone designation and understand the implications for insurance, wetland permitting, and building code requirements. 

Some banks that hold mortgages have started contacting mortgage holders of properties in or near newly designated SFHAs and requiring flood insurance. If a property has been removed from an SFHA, the federal flood insurance requirement may be eliminated, but lenders still have the option to require it. If you believe your insurable structure is entirely outside the FEMA floodplain, you can hire a professional engineer, professional land surveyor, or certified architect to fill-out and submit to FEMA an Elevation Certificate.

Elevation Certificate FEMA fact sheet
Elevation Certificate FEMA form

Details and site-specific matters of insurance implications must be posed to the property owner’s lending institution and/or real estate attorney. The City’s Conservation Office only holds information regarding the FEMA maps. 

Flood Ordinances

Newton recently adopted two new flood ordinances: one that addresses federal (FEMA) flood zones associated with larger rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds (Sec. 22-23. Newton FEMA Floodplain District Ordinance); and one that addresses City-designated flood zones associated with smaller streams, ponds, and isolated wetlands (Sec. 22-22. Newton City Floodplain District Ordinance). 

Wetland Permitting in Floodplains

Any proposed land alterations within FEMA and/or City floodplains should be submitted to Conservation staff to determine whether a wetlands permit will be required.

Here are two helpful guidance documents for residents considering work in the Flood Zone:

Calculating Fill in Flood Zone
Things to Consider When Building and/or Landscaping in the Flood Zone

See the Conservation Office Wetlands Permitting page for permit application details.

Stormwater

The Newton Conservation Commission reviews and permits project applications for compliance with state stormwater standards. See the Conservation Office Wetlands Permitting page for permit application details.

Stormwater Ordinance
Stormwater Regulations

Newton Conservation Staff gave a presentation to Public Facilities Committee of City Council on 10/8/25, entitled Water in Newton: Hydrology, Groundwater, Stormwater, Flooding.
View the slide deck here.