Coconut Creek, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 10-32 governs flood hazard areas delineated on the FIRM as approximate zone A, where no base flood elevation has been provided. The floodplain administrator must require the applicant to include elevation data prepared in accordance with currently accepted engineering practices, and must require the applicant to obtain and use elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency or other approved source. If no such data exist, if the available data do not reasonably reflect flooding conditions, or if the data are known to be scientifically or technically incorrect or otherwise inadequate, the administrator can either require the applicant to develop the elevation data or specify that the base flood elevation is two feet above the highest adjacent grade at the location of the development. The two-foot default applies only where nothing indicates that flood depths have been or could be greater than two feet.

Site plans for any development under the chapter must show the flood hazard areas, floodway boundaries, flood zones, base flood elevations and ground elevations needed for review (section 10-31). On a parcel of more than 50 lots or larger than 5 acres without mapped elevations, the elevations must be established through the engineered route in section 10-32(1) rather than the default. When the elevation data support a letter of map change from FEMA, the analysis must come from a Florida licensed engineer in the format FEMA requires, and the applicant pays the processing fees (sections 10-32 and 10-34).

Elevation is checked in the field. Under section 10-38, once the lowest floor of a building exempt from the Florida Building Code is placed and before further vertical construction, the owner submits a certification of elevation sealed by a Florida licensed professional surveyor. If the two-foot default was used, the owner instead documents the height of the lowest floor above the highest adjacent grade. Section 10-39 repeats the requirement at final inspection.