Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 144-12 of the Monroe Township Code, part of the Flood Damage Prevention chapter adopted 3-27-2023 by Ord. No. O:08-2023, sets the local design flood elevation (LDFE). It is built from the best available flood hazard data identified in Section 144-11, 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, and additional freeboard specified by the chapter.

For a delineated watercourse, the minimum LDFE is the elevation of the best available flood hazard data area plus one foot of freeboard, or as described by N.J.A.C. 7:13. For an undelineated watercourse with a contributory drainage area of 50 acres or more, an applicant must supply either an unexpired NJDEP flood hazard area verification plus one foot of freeboard and any additional freeboard required by ASCE 24, or a Flood Hazard Area Design Flood Elevation determined by Method 5 or Method 6 under N.J.A.C. 7:13 plus one foot of freeboard and any ASCE 24 addition. A Method 5 or 6 determination must be sealed and submitted under Sections 144-35 and 144-36.

For Zone AO areas on the FIRM, the LDFE is the highest adjacent grade plus the depth number specified plus one foot of freeboard. With no depth number, the LDFE is three feet above the highest adjacent grade. Flood Design Class IV critical facilities need the higher of the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) flood elevation or the Flood Hazard Area Design Flood Elevation with an additional two feet of freeboard. Class III critical facilities in coastal high hazard areas need the higher of the 500-year elevation or the design flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard.

The Floodplain Administrator, who is the Zoning Officer, verifies under Section 144-19B that the elevation in any development permit applies the best available data, and Section 144-27 requires the permit to record the required elevation, determination method, and base flood elevation source. The lowest floor elevation is certified on an elevation certificate submitted to the Construction Official under Section 144-40A. Section 144-8 sets a fine of not more than $1250 per violation.