Residential and commercial structures are allowed to be developed within the 100-year floodplain. Buildings built within the 100-year floodplain must be elevated to at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). If no BFE has been established then the building shall be built at least three feet above the adjacent ground level. Builders of non-residential buildings have the option of flood proofing the building instead of elevating. Flood proofing must be designed by a licensed engineer and approved by the Engineering Division. Elevating is usually more feasible than flood proofing.
1) Plans must be submitted to the
Building Inspections Division and the
Floodplain Development Permit must be approved by Engineering Division. Once reviewed and approved, a Foundation Only permit is issued to the contractor or developer.
2) A licensed surveyor or engineer must be hired to set the elevation on site. After the slab is poured, the surveyor or engineer will re-shoot the elevation and certify that the top of the slab is one foot or greater above the BFE.
3) The final step is to return the
Elevation Certificate (filled out by the surveyor or engineer) and obtain a building permit.
