Murfreesboro, TN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- AE Zone freeboard
- 1 foot above Base Flood Elevation
- A Zone (no BFE data)
- 3 feet above highest adjacent grade
- Applies to
- New construction & substantial improvements
- Governing provision
- Appendix A - Zoning § 34, Art. V
Summary
Murfreesboro requires new and substantially improved homes in a mapped AE flood zone to sit at least one foot of freeboard above the Base Flood Elevation, or three feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE data exists.
In AE Zones where Base Flood Elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than one (1) foot above the Base Flood Elevation. ... the administrator shall require the lowest floor of a building to be elevated to a level of at least three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Article V of the city's Floodplain Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A - Zoning, Section 34) sets the elevation standard for the lowest floor, including any basement, of new construction and substantial improvements to residential buildings and manufactured homes. In AE Zones with published Base Flood Elevation data, the lowest floor must sit at least one foot above the BFE -- one foot of freeboard beyond FEMA's minimum. In unmapped approximate A Zones lacking BFE data, the Floodplain Administrator instead requires at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. Non-residential buildings may floodproof to the same one-foot standard instead of elevating.
Violations & Fines
Building or substantially improving a home below the required freeboard height in a mapped flood zone violates Article V and is a misdemeanor under the city code, punishable per day the violation continues, plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the flood line must a new Murfreesboro home be built?
Does a manufactured home have to meet the same freeboard rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murfreesboro
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