Kootenai County, ID Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 3 feet above the base flood elevation
- Lake Coeur d'Alene BFE
- 2,139.3 feet, NAVD88
- Hayden Lake BFE
- 2,246.8 feet, NAVD88
- No-data fallback
- 4 feet above highest adjacent grade
- Proof required
- FEMA elevation certificate, Form 86-0-33
- Certificate timing
- within 7 days of lowest floor set
Summary
Kootenai County requires three feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation for every new or substantially improved structure in a mapped flood hazard area. The resulting flood protection elevation, base flood elevation plus that three-foot freeboard, sets the minimum height for the lowest floor of residential and nonresidential buildings alike under the county's floodplain code.
A. Residential Structures: 1. New and replacement residential structures, accessory living units, and all improvements to residential structures, including manufactured homes and mobile homes, regardless of whether they meet the definition of a "substantial improvement", shall have the top of the lowest floor, including the floor of an attached garage or basement, elevated no lower than the flood protection elevation except as provided in paragraph (D)(1) of this section. ... C. Nonresidential Structures: 1. New and replacement nonresidential structures, and all improvements to nonresidential structures, regardless of whether they meet the definition of a "substantial improvement", shall have the top of the lowest floor, including the floor of an attached garage or basement, elevated a minimum of three feet (3') above the base flood elevation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Code current through: Ord. 633, passed December 23, 2025).
Full Breakdown
201(D)(1)). 202, definitions of FREEBOARD and FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION). 204(C)(1)). 204(A)(4), (C)(4)). 206(C)(1)).
Violations & Fines
Building below the required flood protection elevation, or failing to file the required elevation certificates, exposes an owner to the county's general penalty in Code 1-4-1, a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, per offense. The Director can also require corrections before construction proceeds and can withhold a certificate of occupancy, or deny, revoke or suspend the floodplain development permit, under LUDC 8.7.206(C)(1)(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the base flood elevation must I build in Kootenai County?
What is the base flood elevation for Lake Coeur d'Alene?
What if FEMA has not mapped a base flood elevation for my property?
Do I have to prove my foundation meets the elevation requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kootenai County
Compare Kootenai County to another location·View the Idaho environmental rules overview
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