Pitt County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 19 sets general flood-hazard-reduction standards for every Special Flood Hazard Area: new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored against flotation and lateral movement, built with flood-damage-resistant materials, and have electrical, heating, plumbing and HVAC equipment located to prevent water from entering or accumulating up to the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation (RFPE). A then sets the residential rule directly: new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, must have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the RFPE as defined in Section 5.

Electrical, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing and duct systems must likewise sit at or above the RFPE, unless certified watertight by the installer. B allows non-residential buildings in Zones A, AE, AH, AO and A99 to floodproof to the RFPE instead of elevating, provided a registered engineer or architect certifies the floodproofing to the Floodplain Administrator, along with an operational and maintenance plan. C extends the same RFPE elevation requirement to new and replacement manufactured homes. The Planning Director, designated the Floodplain Administrator under Section 14, reviews floodplain development permit applications and elevation certificates before construction begins. I bars variances that would raise flood levels in a floodway or non-encroachment area.