Lincoln County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard where BFE known
- BFE + 2 feet
- Elevation where no BFE
- 2 feet above highest adjacent grade
- Governing definition
- Lincoln County Code § 151.05
- Residential standard
- § 151.56(B)(1)
- No-BFE zone standard
- § 151.57 (Approximate Zone A)
Summary
Unincorporated Lincoln County requires new and substantially improved structures in a Special Flood Hazard Area to sit at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation, and at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE has been set. That combined height is defined in the flood ordinance as the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation.
REGULATORY FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION. ... The Base Flood Elevation plus the freeboard. ... In Special Flood Hazard Areas, where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been determined, this elevation shall be the BFE plus two feet of freeboard. In Special Flood Hazard Areas where no BFE has been established, this elevation shall be at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade. ... Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 151.05.
Full Breakdown
05 defines the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation as the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus two feet of freeboard where a BFE has been determined, or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE exists. 56(B)(2) must meet the same elevation or be floodproofed to it, watertight and certified by a registered engineer or architect. 57 designates the area as Approximate Zone A and bars encroachments, fill, and new construction within 20 feet of the top of bank or five times the stream width, whichever is greater, unless a registered professional engineer certifies no increase in flood levels; once BFE data becomes available from any source, that data governs elevation instead.
Manufactured homes must be elevated to the same Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, and if the chassis sits more than 36 inches above grade, an engineered foundation certification is required.
Violations & Fines
Any person found in violation of the elevation standards in §§ 151.56 or 151.57 is subject to the penalties provided in UDO § 11.2 (Lincoln County Code §§ 151.56(C), 151.57(C)). Building below the required elevation without an engineer's certification of an alternative can cause the Floodplain Administrator to deny the floodplain development permit or withhold the certificate of compliance or occupancy until the structure is brought up to the required elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the flood elevation must my house be built in Lincoln County?
What if FEMA hasn't set a Base Flood Elevation for my property?
Can I floodproof instead of elevating a Lincoln County structure?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln County
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