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Haverford, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

Key Facts

Freeboard
Lowest floor at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation
Applies to
New construction and substantial improvement
Substantial improvement threshold
Cost equal to or exceeding 50% of market value
Flood vent openings
Two openings, one square inch per square foot enclosed
Vertical datum
North American Vertical Datum of 1988

Summary

In Haverford Township, the lowest floor, including the basement, of any new construction or substantial improvement within an identified floodplain area must be at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation. Fully enclosed spaces below the lowest floor are prohibited except for parking, building access or incidental storage.

(c) If granted, a variance shall involve only the least modification necessary to provide relief. If it should become necessary to grant any variance, the applicant shall be required to comply with all applicable requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations (60.3), including the requirements for elevation, floodproofing and anchoring and no increase in the one-hundred-year flood elevations within the floodway. Within any identified floodplain area, the lowest floor (including basement) of any new construction, or any substantial improvement to an existing structure, shall be at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation. Except for those used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage, fully enclosed spaces below the lowest floor shall be prohibited. ... BASE FLOOD ELEVATION (BFE) The elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Zones AE, AH, and A1-30 that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

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Full Breakdown

The freeboard standard sits in § 182-604F(3)(c), the paragraph governing floodplain variances under the FPC Floodplain Conservation Districts provision. It states that within any identified floodplain area the lowest floor, including a basement, of any new construction or any substantial improvement to an existing structure shall be at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation. A granted variance must also comply with National Flood Insurance Program Regulations (60.3), including the requirements for elevation, floodproofing and anchoring, and no increase in the one-hundred-year flood elevations within the floodway. Fully enclosed spaces below the lowest floor are prohibited except those used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access or incidental storage.

Where enclosed space below the lowest floor is allowed, § 182-604F(3)(a)[3][f] requires openings for floodwaters: a minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space, with the bottom of all openings no higher than one foot above grade. Air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks and similar components located below the regulatory flood elevation must be securely anchored to prevent flotation.

The Code defines the base flood elevation (BFE) as the elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Zones AE, AH and A1-30 indicating the water surface elevation of a flood with a one-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. In Zone A areas where no one-hundred-year elevation is provided, the elevation comes from other federal, state or acceptable sources, from the nearest point on the identified floodplain boundary, or from engineering analysis. Permit applications for new construction or substantial improvement include an elevation certificate with the proposed lowest floor, basement and floodproofing elevations based upon the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. Development in Zone A that causes a rise of more than one foot in the base flood elevation requires a letter of map revision or conditional letter of map revision.

Violations & Fines

Building below the required elevation without a permit or in conflict with a Floodplain Administrator order is an offense under § 182-604E(13). Section 182-901G and H apply: a fine not exceeding $600 plus costs of prosecution, with each day a separate offense, and a Township action to restrain or abate the construction. In default of a court-imposed fine, imprisonment in county prison is limited to 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high must the lowest floor be in a Haverford Township floodplain?
Section 182-604F(3)(c) requires the lowest floor, including the basement, of new construction or a substantial improvement within any identified floodplain area to be at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood elevation. The Code also prohibits fully enclosed spaces below the lowest floor except for parking, building access or incidental storage.
What counts as a substantial improvement?
The Code defines it as any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement of a structure whose costs equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction. It includes structures that have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. Certain code-correction projects and historic structure work have exceptions.
Do I need an elevation certificate?
Yes for new construction, horizontal expansion or addition, or substantial improvement of an existing structure within an identified flood-prone area. Section 182-604E(6)(e) requires the certificate to come from a licensed professional engineer or land surveyor and to show the proposed lowest floor, basement and floodproofing elevations based upon the North American Vertical Datum of 1988.
What if no base flood elevation is published for my site?
For subdivision and development proposals of at least .50 lot or at least five acres, a licensed professional engineer must prepare hydrologic and hydraulic analyses determining base flood elevations and floodway information. For Zone A areas, the Code points to other acceptable sources, the nearest boundary point, or engineering analysis.
What do flood openings below the lowest floor need to look like?
Fully enclosed space used for parking, access or storage must allow automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. The Code requires a minimum of two openings with a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space, bottoms no higher than one foot above grade, unless an engineer or architect certifies the design.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Haverford

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All Haverford rules

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