Flint, MI Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential floor standard
- At or above base flood elevation
- Nonresidential option
- Floodproofed watertight below BFE
- Certification required
- Registered engineer or architect
- Freeboard above BFE
- Not required by code
- Variance body
- Zoning Board of Appeals
Summary
The City of Flint requires new and substantially improved residential structures in flood hazard areas to have the lowest floor built at or above base flood elevation, with equivalent floodproofing for nonresidential buildings.
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation.
(2) Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including the basement elevated to the level of the base flood elevation; or, together with the attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
a. Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and/or
c. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the officials as set forth in § 50-173(b)(3).
(3) Mobile homes.
a. Mobile homes shall be anchored in accordance with § 50-177(a)(3); and
b. For the new mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions; for expansions to existing mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions; for existing mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions where repair, reconstruction or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2016 Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 3821, passed 3-1-2012).
Full Breakdown
Under Flint's flood hazard reduction standards, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation (§ 50-177(d)(1)). Nonresidential structures must either meet the same floor elevation or be floodproofed watertight below the base flood level, with structural components able to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, certified by a registered professional engineer or architect (§ 50-177(d)(2)). The code sets these as minimum elevation-to-BFE requirements; it does not add a freeboard margin above base flood elevation. Mobile homes must be elevated on compacted fill or pilings so the lowest floor sits at or above base flood level (§ 50-177(d)(3)).
Violations & Fines
Constructing or substantially improving a residential or nonresidential structure below the required base flood elevation without a variance violates § 50-179 and is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must a new house be built in a Flint flood zone?
Can a commercial building be built below base flood elevation in Flint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
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