Long Branch, NJ Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 177-11, Local Design Flood Elevation
- Standard freeboard
- Base flood elevation plus 2 feet
- AO Zone floor
- 3 feet above highest adjacent grade if unmapped
- Critical facilities
- 500-year flood elevation plus 2 ft, ASCE 24
- Enforcing official
- City Engineer as Floodplain Administrator, § 177-12
- Penalty
- Up to $1,250 fine or 90 days, § 177-6
Summary
Long Branch sets its own local design flood elevation two feet above the state and FEMA base flood elevation in every mapped flood hazard area, with a three-foot-above-grade floor in AO zones, enforced by the City Engineer acting as Floodplain Administrator under Chapter 177 in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
§ 177-11. Establishing the local design flood elevation (LDFE). The local design flood elevation (LDFE) is established in the flood hazard areas determined in § 177-10, 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 chapter. At a minimum, the local design flood elevation shall be as follows: A. For a delineated watercourse, the elevation associated with the best available flood hazard data area determined in § 177-10, above plus two feet or as described by N.J.A.C. 7:13 of freeboard; or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4904719; v48 updated 2026-06-10; through 06-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 177, Flood Damage Prevention, requires new construction and substantial improvements in a mapped flood hazard area to be built above the local design flood elevation (LDFE) Long Branch defines in § 177-11, not merely the FEMA or state base flood elevation. C. 7:13 and, for critical facilities, ASCE 24. C. 7:13, again plus freeboard. In an AO Zone shown on the FIRM, the LDFE is the highest adjacent grade plus the mapped depth number plus two feet of freeboard, or three feet above grade if no depth number is shown.
2%-annual-chance (500-year) flood elevation or the flood hazard area design elevation plus two additional feet of freeboard under ASCE 24. The City Engineer, designated Floodplain Administrator under § 177-12, reviews every permit application against these elevations and coordinates with the Construction Official to apply the flood provisions of the Uniform Construction Code.
Violations & Fines
Developing in a flood hazard area without meeting the local design flood elevation, or without a permit, violates § 177-6 and is punishable by a fine of up to $1,250, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or up to 90 days of community service, with each additional day a separate offense after a 30-day cure period. A building lacking the required elevation certification is presumed to be in violation under § 177-49 until the owner produces it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Long Branch require above the base flood elevation?
What if my property is in an AO Zone with no mapped flood depth?
Who decides how the flood elevation rules apply to my permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Branch
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