Greenwood, IN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

The ordinance responds to the City's flood-prone areas, which are subject to periodic inundation that threatens life, property, and public infrastructure, and it implements the National Flood Insurance Program's community participation requirements. Flood Protection Grade is defined as the base flood elevation plus two feet at any given location in the special flood hazard area, and it governs residential construction, non-residential construction, additions or improvements worth fifty percent or more of a structure's value, manufactured homes, travel trailers or RVs sited more than 180 days, and repairs to repetitive-loss structures.

A Floodplain Development Permit is required before any development activity begins in a special flood hazard area. Where solid foundation walls are used below the FPG, enclosed areas must include at least two flood openings on different sides sized to at least one square inch per square foot of enclosed area, with the bottom of each opening no more than one foot above the higher of the interior or exterior grade. Critical facilities such as schools, hospitals, and police and fire stations built in the hazard area must have their lowest floor elevated to or above the FPG, with floodproofing to keep hazardous materials from floodwaters. The Common Council appoints the Planning Director as Floodplain Administrator to administer the section.