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Dayton, OH Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Freeboard
1.5 feet above base flood elev.
Applies to
New construction, substantial improvement
No-BFE fallback
2 ft above adjacent grade
Verification
FEMA elevation certificate required

Summary

New and substantially improved residential structures in Dayton's flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor raised to the flood protection elevation: the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet of freeboard.

New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. In areas with no elevations specified, the structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).

Full Breakdown

Dayton's floodplain regulations (R.C.G.O. § 152.63) define 'flood protection elevation' as the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet of freeboard, or historical/administrator-approved elevations where no base flood elevation exists. Section 152.80(D) then requires new construction and substantial improvements to residential structures, including manufactured homes, to have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above that flood protection elevation; where no elevation is specified, the floor must sit at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade. Compliance is confirmed with a FEMA elevation certificate under § 152.70 after construction.

Violations & Fines

Building or substantially improving a home below the required flood protection elevation violates § 152.80 and can block the required FEMA elevation certificate and post-construction sign-off under § 152.70, jeopardizing flood insurance eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much freeboard does Dayton require above the base flood elevation?
R.C.G.O. § 152.63 defines the flood protection elevation as the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet of freeboard, and § 152.80(D) requires new or substantially improved homes to sit at or above that height.
What if no base flood elevation is mapped for my site?
Under § 152.80(D), the lowest floor must be at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade when no base flood elevation has been specified.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Dayton

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsStormwater ManagementSignificant RestrictionsErosion ControlSignificant RestrictionsFlood ZonesSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Dayton rules

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