Pinellas County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard, parallel members
- BFE + 1 foot
- Freeboard, perpendicular members
- BFE + 2 feet
- Applies in
- Coastal high hazard & Coastal A zones
- Adopted via
- Local FBC amendment, Appendix E
Summary
New buildings in unincorporated Pinellas County's coastal high hazard and Coastal A zones must be elevated one to two feet above base flood elevation, per the county's local Florida Building Code amendment.
1.Buildings and structures erected within coastal high hazard areas and Coastal A Zones, shall be elevated so that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural members supporting the lowest floor... is: 1.1Located at or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher... or 1.2Located at the base flood elevation plus 2 feet, or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 124).
Full Breakdown
Pinellas County's local amendment to the Florida Building Code, Residential, sets the required freeboard for coastal flood zones: the lowest horizontal structural member must sit at or above base flood elevation plus 1 foot where it runs parallel to wave approach, or plus 2 feet where it runs perpendicular to wave approach, whichever is higher than the design flood elevation. The rule applies within coastal high hazard areas and Coastal A Zones.
Violations & Fines
Buildings without documented lowest-floor elevation certification are presumed noncompliant under Chapter 158; construction below the required elevation is a Florida Building Code and Chapter 158 violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above base flood elevation must a new coastal home be built in unincorporated Pinellas County?
Does this freeboard rule apply county-wide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinellas County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pinellas County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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