Jackson County, MO Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum freeboard, FW/FF districts
- 1 foot above BFE
- Minimum elevation, SBI district
- 3 feet above inundation elevation
- Permit required
- Yes, separate development permit
- Max penalty
- 1 year jail / $1,000 fine
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
In unincorporated Jackson County's mapped floodway and floodway fringe, new and substantially improved residences must sit at least 1 foot above base flood elevation on a permanently anchored foundation.
Residences within the FW or FF Districts. All residences to be placed or
substantially improved within the FW or FF districts shall be elevated on a
permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is
at least one (1) foot above base flood elevation and shall be permanently
anchored to said foundation.
5. Residences within the SBI District. All residences to be placed or
substantially improved within the SBI District shall be elevated on a
permanent foundation such that the residence is at least three (3) feet above
the inundation protection elevation and anchored to said foundation or
hydrological event.
6. Preventing Water Accumulation. Electrical, heating, ventilation,
plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall
be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or
accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding or
hydrological event.
7. Automatic Equalization of Hydrostatic Flood Forces. For all new
construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the
lowest floor that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically
equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry
and exit of floodwater. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be
Full Breakdown
Jackson County's Unified Development Code requires any residence placed or substantially improved within the FW (Floodway) or FF (Floodway Fringe) Overlay Districts to be elevated on a permanent foundation so the lowest floor sits at least one foot above base flood elevation, and anchored to that foundation. In the separate Sni-a-bar Inundation (SBI) Overlay District, the elevation minimum jumps to 3 feet above the inundation protection elevation. A separate development permit from the Director is required before any construction begins in these districts. This applies only to unincorporated Jackson County. Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown and Grandview enforce their own floodplain ordinances, not this one.
Violations & Fines
Violating any UDC provision is a county ordinance violation punishable by up to 1 year in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both; each day of noncompliance counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must a new house be built in Jackson County's floodway fringe?
Does this rule apply inside Kansas City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
Compare Jackson County to another location·View the Missouri environmental rules overview
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