Linden, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard freeboard
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Class IV critical facility freeboard
- 2 feet additional under ASCE 24
- Class III critical facility freeboard
- 1 additional foot in coastal high hazard areas
- Zone AO elevation default
- 3 feet above highest adjacent grade if no depth number
- Floodplain Administrator
- City Engineer, City Code § 26-103.1
Summary
Linden sets a Local Design Flood Elevation under City Code § 26-102.3 that adds at least one foot of freeboard above the base flood elevation for ordinary development, and up to two feet for Class IV critical facilities. The requirement combines FEMA and New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act data with ASCE 24 elevation standards for the lowest floor of new construction.
a. The Local Design Flood Elevation (LDFE) is established in the flood hazard areas determined in Section 26-102.2, above, using the best available flood hazard data sources, and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act minimum Statewide elevation requirements for lowest floors in A, Coastal A, and V zones, ASCE 24 requirements for critical facilities as specified by the building code, plus additional freeboard as specified by this article. ... ... 1. For a delineated watercourse, the elevation associated with the Best Available Flood Hazard Data Area determined in Section 26-102.2, above plus one (1) foot or as described by N.J.A.C. 7:13 of freeboard; or ... ... 3. Class IV Critical Facilities - For any proposed development of new and substantially improved Flood Design Class IV Critical Facilities, the Local Design Flood Elevation must be the higher of the 0.2% annual chance (500 year) flood elevation or the Flood Hazard Area Design Flood Elevation with an additional two (2) feet of freeboard in accordance with ASCE 24.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4586096; v16 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
2, the Flood Hazard Area Control Act's minimum Statewide elevation requirements for lowest floors in A, Coastal A and V zones, ASCE 24 standards for critical facilities, plus additional freeboard the article itself requires. C. 7:13 otherwise specifies. C. 7:13, again plus one foot of freeboard. In Zone AO areas, the LDFE is the highest adjacent grade plus the FIRM's depth number plus one foot of freeboard, or three feet above the highest adjacent grade if the FIRM lists no depth number. 2%-annual-chance (500-year) flood elevation or the Flood Hazard Area Design Flood Elevation, plus an additional two feet of freeboard under ASCE 24.
Class III Critical Facilities in coastal high hazard areas get the same higher-of-the-two-elevations approach but with one additional foot of freeboard rather than two. 1, applies these elevations when reviewing every permit for new construction, substantial improvement, or repair of substantial damage in a mapped or state-regulated flood hazard area.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required Local Design Flood Elevation, or without the article's freeboard, is a violation of Chapter 26, Article I under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, punishable by a fine of up to $1,250, up to ninety days imprisonment, or up to ninety days of community service, with a repeat offense inside one year drawing an additional fine on top of the underlying penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Linden require above base flood elevation?
What if my property is on an unstudied watercourse?
How is the elevation set in a Zone AO area?
Sources & Official References
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Union County handle flood elevation requirements.