The floodplain administration program includes permitting and regulatory work associated with the floodplain in Missoula County outside Missoula City limits*.

Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of current and future flooding, resulting in a more resilient community. These measures take a variety of forms, are carried out by multiple stakeholders with a vested interest in responsible floodplain management, and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, building codes and special-purpose floodplain ordinances.

State and federal agencies, local communities and property owners have a role in reducing flood risk and helping communities become more resilient. From states providing strong model ordinances, to communities adopting and enforcing higher-standard building practices, to property owners elevating their homes, everyone can play a part in making communities safer and more resistant to flood disasters. 

Floodplain Regulations (March 25, 2024)

A Floodplain Permit Application must be submitted and approved by the Floodplain Administrator prior to all development activity to assure the County and the property owner that all applicable flood code standards have been met.

Subdivision Development

Missoula County’s Subdivision Regulations require that proposed subdivisions contain flood hazard area comply
with Chapter 3, General Design Standards, of the Missoula County Subdivision Regulations.

For more information regarding any development within or near a flood hazard area please contact PDS,
at (406) 258-4657or by email at pds@missoulacounty.us.

• Joint Floodplain Permit Application
  • with instructions 
• Shoreline Permit Application
• 310 Permit Application
  • Instructions
  • Application

Floodplain status of County parcels per the FEMA floodplain maps can be checked online. By entering the parcel's address or geocode number, you can view the approximate boundaries of the March 7, 2019 FEMA maps including the July 29, 2015 Milltown LOMR: http://gis.missoulacounty.us/CAPS/Floodplain/.  

Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps

(This tool requires usage of the Chrome internet browser available free here: https://www.google.com/intl/en-US/chrome/browser/.)

Tips for Reducing Damage

The following measures may reduce damage to flood-susceptible properties:

• Grade your yard for proper drainage.
• Seal and protect water entry points. Use watertight seals and flood-resistant building materials.
• Elevate or anchor LP tanks and outbuildings.
• Install a floor drain plug or sewer backup valve to prevent backup flooding. Elevate utilities such as heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters, washers/dryers, and other major appliances to higher floors or on raised platforms.
• Temporarily move furniture, electronics, and other valuables to higher floors; sandbag exterior openings. Mark your fuse or breaker box to quickly identify circuits to floodable areas. Turning off the power to the basement and low areas can reduce damage and save lives.
• Carry and maintain flood insurance.
• To avoid repetitive losses, consider elevating or relocating substantially damaged structures. Assistance may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) program.

For more information about flood safety, flood warnings, and online water level monitoring, see the Flood Safety page.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• FEMA Map Service Center (including FIRM maps)
• FEMA Elevation Certificate
• FEMA Revalidation Letter for Letters of Map Change
• Montana Department of Natural Resources Floodplain Management
• Floodsmart.gov
• National Council For Home Safety and Security
• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• Association of State Floodplain Managers
• USGS Stream Gauges in Missoula County
• Water Rights in Montana
• A Guide to Montana Water Quality Regulation
• Turn Around Don't Drown campaign
• The Complete Guide to Flood Safety and Preparedness (Alarms.org)
• Mold and Mildew Cleanup (FEMA F-606)

There are numerous resources available for landowners who are looking for ideas, technical support or funding assistance for stream or riparian protection on their land. Browse our growing list:

• The Missoula Conservation District offers Riparian Planting Mini-Grants to help Missoula County landowners looking for help with projects involving maintenance or restoration of riparian areas. The District also runs a Cost Share Program 
• Guide to Montana Water Management – Who Does What with Water Resources from Montana Water Course 
• Landowners’ Guide to Montana Wetlands from Montana Water Course
• Landowner’s Guide to Fixing Streams on Working Lands from the Clark Fork Coalition.
• National Center for Appropriate Technology
• The Montana Lake Book

Be sure to follow these important flood safety rules to reduce personal risk during a flood:

• Don’t drive through a flooded area. More people drown in cars than anywhere else. The water depth and road condition are always unknown. Vehicles can be swept away in only 12 inches of water.
• Don’t walk through flood waters. Flood currents are also deceptive. Adults can be swept off their feet in only 6 inches of water.
• Avoid electrical lines and equipment. Electrocution is the second leading cause of death during floods. Turn off power at your service panel. Electrical current will travel through flood water.
• Be alert to gas leaks. Turn off gas to your house before a flood. If you smell gas, report it to your gas company and avoid open flames.
• Don’t use gas engines or fires indoors during power outages. These pose risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires.
• Clean anything that has been wet. Flood water will be contaminated with sewage, oil, gasoline, and a variety of chemicals that pose severe health risks.
• Always cooperate with emergency officials and rescue personnel. You can replace personal belongings, but you can't replace someone's life.

For more information about flood safety, visit the Turn Around Don't Drown campaign website.

Missoula County encourages its residents to listen to local news radio and television stations for flood warnings and prepare accordingly. Residents can also monitor local river levels through the USGS stream gauges website.

Missoula County provides Smart911, a free service designed to enhance personal and family emergency preparedness, to all residents. Signing up with Smart911 allows you to create a unique Safety Profile for your household which will provide critical details to 9-1-1 that may help your family in the event of an emergency. Your Safety Profile pops on 9-1-1 dispatchers screens when an emergency call is made from a registered phone. Additionally, Smart911 allows you to opt-in to receive emergency alerts from your community through a variety of communication channels including voice, text or email.

Fire, law enforcement and EMS emergency responders throughout Missoula County recommend people sign up for Smart911 as a part of your family’s emergency plan. Sign up at smart911.com.