Eugene, OR Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

6709. 6706 requires a development permit before any construction or development begins in a mapped flood hazard area, covering structures, manufactured homes, fill, and other activities, with applications required to show elevations relative to mean sea level and, for land divisions of 5 acres or 50 lots or more, Base Flood Elevation (BFE) data. a: new construction, conversion, or substantial improvement of a residential structure must have its lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a minimum of one foot above BFE, or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE data exists.

6707(2)(c)3. 6707(2)(a). 6709 allows variances only on lots of a half-acre or less surrounded by existing structures built below base flood level, requires a showing of good and sufficient cause and a finding of exceptional hardship, and mandates written notice to the applicant that building below BFE raises flood insurance premiums and risk to life and property. These provisions were repealed and replaced by Ordinance No. 20684, enacted March 8, 2023, effective April 14, 2023; the Eugene Code is current through Ordinance No. 20739, passed June 8, 2026.