Howard County, IN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Chapter 151 sets the county's flood-protection standard above the base regulatory flood level. 03 defines FLOOD PROTECTION GRADE (FPG) as the elevation of the regulatory flood plus two feet at any given location in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and that two-foot margin is the county's freeboard. 05 ties the regulatory flood elevation itself to the Flood Insurance Study of the county dated January 16, 1981, and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map dated July 16, 1981, both prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for the SFHAs along Wildcat Creek, Kokomo Creek, Little Wildcat Creek and Little Wildcat Creek West, with AH, AO and A Zone elevations taken from the county's Flood Insurance Rate Map or the best data available from the Department of Natural Resources.

08 applies the FPG standard to any new building over 400 square feet, structural alterations costing 40% or more of the pre-altered building's value, repairs to a damaged building valued at 40% or more of its pre-damage market value, new manufactured home placements, and recreational vehicles or travel trailers sited more than 180 days. Builders may meet the standard by elevating on permanent fill, compacted in one-foot layers to 95% Standard Proctor density and extending at least ten feet beyond the foundation, so that the top of the lowest floor, including any basement, sits at or above the FPG.