Greeley, CO Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard standard
- 1 foot above BFE
- Critical facilities
- 2 feet above BFE
- Certification required from
- licensed CO engineer/architect/surveyor
- Governing section
- City Code § 12-1211
Summary
Greeley requires new and substantially improved buildings in mapped flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor and all mechanical equipment one foot above the base flood elevation: two feet for critical facilities like schools and fire stations.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork) elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 12-1211(a) requires new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure in a special flood hazard area to have the lowest floor, including basement, plus all electrical, heating, plumbing and HVAC equipment, elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). Colorado's freeboard standard, which exceeds FEMA's bare minimum. Nonresidential buildings must either meet that same one-foot freeboard or be engineered watertight to that height. A registered Colorado professional engineer, architect or land surveyor must certify the final elevation to the floodplain administrator. Critical facilities such as hospitals and fire stations face a stricter two-foot freeboard under § 12-1217(b)(2).
Violations & Fines
Building below the required freeboard without an approved variance is a permit violation enforced by the floodplain administrator; occupancy is withheld until the required engineer's or surveyor's elevation certification is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the base flood elevation must I build in Greeley?
Does Greeley require extra freeboard for hospitals or fire stations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greeley
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