Flood Elevation Requirements
Environmental Rules
FEMA NFIP minimum base flood elevation (BFE) construction standards for properties in mapped flood zones, including freeboard requirements above BFE.
How Flood Elevation Requirements Rules Differ by Place
Birmingham, AL: Birmingham Requires 1-Foot Flood Freeboard
Some RestrictionsNew construction and substantial improvements in a Birmingham flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood…
Hoover, AL: Hoover Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsNew and substantially improved buildings in Hoover's mapped flood zones must elevate the lowest floor, including mechanical and electrical equipment, at least 2 feet above the base…
Huntsville, AL: Huntsville Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsNew or substantially improved buildings in Huntsville's floodway fringe must have their lowest floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation, per the city's flood hazard…
Jefferson County, AL: Jefferson County Plat Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsBefore Jefferson County will accept a final subdivision plat, Section 204.03(d)(6) of the Subdivision and Construction Regulations requires the map to delineate the 100-year floodplain…
Lee County, AL: Lee County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Lee County's mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas, new construction and substantially improved structures must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above the…
Madison County, AL: Madison County Flood Elevation & Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsIn Madison County's unincorporated area, new construction and substantial improvements in a Special Flood Hazard Area must have the lowest floor built at least one foot above the base…
Cities & Counties with Flood Elevation Requirements Rules
545 locations
Other Environmental Rules Topics
Stormwater Management
Requirements for managing rainwater runoff on your property, including retention basins, permeable surfaces, and drainage plans.
Erosion Control
Rules to prevent soil erosion during construction and landscaping, including required sediment barriers and ground cover standards.
Coastal Development
Building restrictions near coastlines, including setbacks from the water, dune protection rules, and coastal commission permits.
Flood Zones
Building requirements for properties in FEMA flood zones, including elevation standards, flood insurance mandates, and construction limits.
Shoreline Management
Regulations for properties along lakes, rivers, and coastlines, including buffer zones, dock permits, and vegetation requirements.
Sea Wall & Bulkhead
Requirements for maintaining sea walls, bulkheads, and retaining structures on waterfront properties, including inspection schedules and repair obligations.
Mangrove Protection
Rules protecting mangrove trees and coastal vegetation, including trimming restrictions, removal prohibitions, and required setbacks from mangrove habitat.
Boat Dock Permits
Permits required to build or modify boat docks, lifts, and davits on waterfront properties, including size limits, setbacks, and environmental reviews.
Defensible Space
Mandated vegetation clearance zones around homes in fire hazard zones, including the 100-ft Zone 0/1/2 model used by California and other wildfire-prone states.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Limits on how long heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and passenger cars may idle, including bans near schools and residential areas.
Climate Emergency Mobilization
Local climate-emergency declarations and mobilization plans, including building electrification mandates, gas-hookup bans in new construction, and reach codes.
Sustainable Procurement
City rules requiring sustainable, recycled, or low-emissions products in municipal purchasing, and how those rules trickle down to contractors and concessions.
Cool Pavement
Reflective-coating road treatments deployed by LA Bureau of Street Services to reduce surface temps; pilot streets and expansion plans under Cool Streets LA.
Cool Roof Requirements
Mandatory high-reflectance roofing materials for new construction and reroofs. LA Green Building Code thresholds and Title 24 Pt 6 baseline.
Heat Island Mitigation
Citywide programs to reduce urban heat, tree canopy goals, cool surfaces, shade structures at bus stops, and cooling-center requirements during heat waves.