The federal government has required local units of government to adopt regulations that restrict activities on land designated by federal special flood hazard maps as being subject to 100-year flooding. These regulations are incorporated into Stephenson County zoning and subdivision regulations. They are fairly restrictive and allow only very limited activity without variation of the regulations. If there is any uncertainty as to whether a property is subject to the flood regulations, the applicant must provide certified information as to the elevation of the building site in relation to the 100-year special flood hazard boundaries. Check with the Department of Building and Zoning to ascertain any potential problem with designated flood hazard areas.