Flood Zones: Biloxi vs Gulfport
How do flood zones rules compare between Biloxi, MS and Gulfport, MS?
Biloxi and Gulfport have similar restriction levels.
Biloxi, MS
Harrison County
Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 2005) drove the largest rewrite of Biloxi's flood rules in city history. The City updated its Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Code of Ordinances Chapter 8) and adopted FEMA's revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) effective May 2009, and now requires 1 foot of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation. Federal authority is the National Flood Insurance Act (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and 44 CFR Part 60.3.
View full Biloxi rules →Gulfport, MS
Harrison County
Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 29, 2005) drove a 28-foot storm surge across Gulfport and forced the largest rewrite of the city's flood rules in its history. Gulfport adopted FEMA's revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and amended Appendix B - Flood Damage Prevention of the Code of Ordinances. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System. Federal authority is the National Flood Insurance Act (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.) and 44 CFR Parts 59-60.
View full Gulfport rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Biloxi | Gulfport |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Biloxi Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 | Gulfport Code Appendix B (Flood Damage Prevention) |
| Federal Authority | 42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.; 44 CFR Pt 60 | 42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.; 44 CFR Pt 59-60 |
| DFIRM Effective | May 2009 | - |
| Freeboard | 1 ft above BFE | Min. 1 ft above BFE (post-Katrina) |
| Substantial Improvement | 50% of market value | 50% of market value |
| Floodplain Admin | (228) 435-6280 | (228) 868-5700 |
| Katrina Surge | - | ~28 ft (Aug. 29, 2005) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Biloxi FAQ
How high above flood elevation must I build in Biloxi?
Biloxi's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Chapter 8) requires 1 foot of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation for new construction and substantial improvements. In A-zones the top of the lowest floor must meet BFE+1 ft; in V-zones the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member must meet BFE+1 ft, with open piles and breakaway walls below.
What changed in Biloxi flood rules after Hurricane Katrina?
Katrina (Aug. 2005) pushed surge past the 500-year floodplain boundary. Biloxi adopted FEMA's revised DFIRM in May 2009 and amended Chapter 8 to add 1 ft of freeboard, expanded the Special Flood Hazard Area inland, and tightened V-zone construction. The 50%-of-value substantial improvement / damage threshold under 44 CFR §59.1 also triggers full compliance for repairs.
Gulfport FAQ
How high above flood elevation must I build in Gulfport?
Gulfport's Appendix B - Flood Damage Prevention requires elevation to Base Flood Elevation plus the city's adopted freeboard (post-Katrina, at minimum 1 foot above BFE). In A-zones the top of the lowest floor must meet BFE+freeboard; in V-zones the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member must meet BFE+freeboard, with open piles and breakaway walls below. Submit an Elevation Certificate at permit and after construction.
What changed in Gulfport flood rules after Hurricane Katrina?
Katrina (Aug. 29, 2005) produced a roughly 28-foot storm surge that pushed flooding past the 500-year boundary across Gulfport. The city adopted the revised post-Katrina DFIRM and amended Appendix B to add freeboard above BFE, expand the SFHA inland, and tighten V-zone construction. The 50%-of-value substantial improvement / damage threshold under 44 CFR §59.1 also triggers full compliance for repairs, and any flood damage repair requires a city permit.
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