Jacksonville, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- BFE + 2 feet
- Fill cap at structure
- 1 foot above BFE
- Enforcing office
- Floodplain Administrator (Dev. Services)
- Governs
- Special & Adjusted Flood Hazard Areas
Summary
Jacksonville requires new construction in flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor to 2 feet above base flood elevation, using stem-wall or off-grade methods.
As provided in Section 321.109, Ordinance Code, buildings and structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas and Adjusted Special Flood Hazard Areas shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus two feet, or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher. In order to elevate the lowest floor to this level, off-grade or stem wall construction techniques shall be used such that the lot itself is not filled more than one foot above base flood elevation at the site of any structure, as permitted by the current edition of the Florida Building Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Ordinance Code Sec. 652.1005, buildings and structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas and Adjusted Special Flood Hazard Areas must have their lowest floor elevated to or above base flood elevation (BFE) plus two feet of freeboard, or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher. Builders must use off-grade or stem-wall construction rather than simply filling the lot -- fill at the structure site is capped at one foot above BFE. Accessory structures used only for parking or storage get a narrower exception under Sec. 652.1006, but even those need flood-resistant materials and elevated utilities up to BFE plus two feet. The Floodplain Administrator (Chief of the Development Services Division) enforces the chapter alongside the Florida Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation blocks issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and can void National Flood Insurance Program eligibility for the structure; the Floodplain Administrator may issue stop-work orders and pursue code-enforcement penalties under Sec. 652.801-.803.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Jacksonville require above base flood elevation?
Can I just add fill dirt to raise my lot to meet the elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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