Chattanooga, TN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Wood construction
- 2 ft above base flood elevation
- Concrete slab construction
- 1 ft above base flood elevation
- Nonresidential buildings
- 1 ft above BFE or floodproofed
- Administering office
- Land Development Office
- FIRM effective date
- February 3, 2016
Summary
Chattanooga requires new homes and manufactured homes in mapped flood zones to elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above base flood elevation if built of wood, or one foot if built of concrete slab.
In AE Zones where Base Flood Elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential building or manufactured home must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than two feet above the Base Flood Elevation if constructed of wood or one foot above base flood elevation if constructed of concrete (slab on grade type construction). Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate equalization of flood hydrostatic forces on both sides of exterior walls must be provided in accordance with the standards of "Enclosures" as provided in item 2 below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under the city's F/H Flood Hazard Zone standards, any new residential construction or substantial improvement in an AE flood zone must raise the lowest floor, including the basement, above the FEMA base flood elevation: two feet for wood-framed structures, one foot for concrete slab-on-grade construction. Nonresidential buildings must be elevated or floodproofed at least one foot above base flood elevation, certified by a registered engineer or architect. The Director of the Land Development Office administers development permits, reviews elevation certifications, and enforces the flood maps adopted from the city's FEMA Flood Insurance Study effective February 3, 2016.
Violations & Fines
Violating the flood ordinance is punished under Article XVIII of the City Code, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, plus recovery of the City's enforcement costs and possible loss of flood-insurance eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much higher than base flood elevation must a new Chattanooga home be built?
Who reviews flood elevation certifications in Chattanooga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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