New Rochelle, NY Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Section 111-34C, Residential Structures (except coastal high-hazard areas), sets New Rochelle's elevation standard above the federal minimum. Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A where base flood elevation data exist, new construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated to or above two feet above the base flood level, the two-foot cushion commonly called freeboard. Where no base flood elevation data are available in Zone A, § 111-34C(1)(b) instead requires the lowest floor to sit at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.

In Zone AO, § 111-34C(1)(c) requires the lowest floor to be elevated above the highest adjacent grade to at least two feet above the depth number shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, or two feet if no depth number is given, and § 111-34C(1)(d) requires drainage paths in Zones AH and AO to guide floodwaters around and away from the structure on sloped sites. Coastal high-hazard Zones V1-V30, VE and V carry their own elevation rule in § 111-34D: the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member supporting the lowest floor must sit at or above two feet above base flood level, on pilings, columns or shear walls designed to resist storm wind and wave forces.

Utilities get a matching cushion under § 111-34B(3): new electrical equipment, heating, ventilating and other service equipment must be installed at least two feet above the base flood elevation or one foot above the highest flood level of record, whichever is higher.