Franklin County, KY Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Franklin County Code § 155.311 applies in every special flood hazard area where base flood elevation data have been provided. The County adopted the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Franklin County dated 9-28-2007, with its Flood Insurance Rate Maps, under § 155.301, and the maps are on file at County Planning and Zoning, 315 West Main Street, Room 305. The Fiscal Court appointed the Director of Planning and Building Codes as Floodplain Administrator under § 155.308, and a development permit is required before any development begins in the hazard area.

The freeboard is two feet. A residential structure or manufactured home must have its lowest floor, including basement, mechanical equipment and ductwork, no lower than two feet above base flood elevation. In an AO Zone the floor must sit above the highest adjacent grade by at least the depth number on the FIRM, or at least two feet if no depth is shown. Where FEMA has produced no technical data in an A Zone, the floor is still elevated two feet above a base flood elevation that the Floodplain Administrator determines.

Non-residential buildings follow the same elevation or are flood-proofed below an elevation two feet above base flood elevation, with an engineer or architect certification. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor, used only for parking, building access or storage, must use flood-resistant materials below that level and have openings totaling at least one square inch per square foot of enclosed area, with the bottom of every opening within one foot of grade. Accessory structures under § 155.315 must be non-habitable, used only for storage or parking, and built with flood-resistant materials below two feet above base flood elevation. New critical facilities under § 155.316 need a lowest floor one foot or more above base flood elevation. Subdivision plans under § 155.314 must show the elevation of proposed structures and lowest adjacent grade.