Jessamine County, KY Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 155.41 of the Jessamine County Code applies in special flood hazard areas where base flood elevation data have been provided under § 155.16, the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Jessamine County dated June 2, 2011 and its maps. For a residential structure or manufactured home, the lowest floor, including basement, mechanical equipment and ductwork, must be elevated no lower than 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Section 155.05 defines freeboard as a factor of safety expressed in feet above the base flood elevation, and says it must be applied not just to the lowest floor or floodproofing level but to the level of protection for building utilities, HVAC components and the like.

The measurement changes by zone. In an AO zone the structure is elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number on the FIRM, or at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. In an A zone where FEMA has produced no technical data, the floor is elevated 2 feet above a base flood elevation the Floodplain Administrator determines, using methods such as hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, existing data from other sources, or historical data. In all other zones the floor is elevated 2 feet above the base flood elevation.

Non-residential buildings under § 155.41(B) either meet the residential elevation standard or are floodproofed below an elevation 2 feet above the base flood elevation so the structure is watertight, with an engineer or architect certifying compliance. Manufactured homes need the lowest floor at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation on a permanent foundation. In an existing manufactured home park, a chassis on piers of no less than 36 inches above the highest adjacent grade is the alternative.

Verification runs in two stages. Under § 155.41(A)(2) the lowest floor elevation must be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and verified by the community building inspection department. Under § 155.31(B), the permit holder submits the as-built lowest floor elevation in relation to mean sea level upon placement of the lowest floor, before construction continues.