Martin County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Land Development Regulations Division 10, Flood Protection, sets the county's construction standards inside mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps adopted with the February 19, 2020 Flood Insurance Study. Under Sec. C, accessory structures used only for parking or storage may sit below the base flood elevation, but in Zone A/AE they are capped at one story and 600 square feet with code-compliant flood vents, while in coastal high hazard Zone V and Coastal A Zones they cannot exceed 100 square feet and must sit clear of any elevated building.

Every such accessory structure must be anchored against flotation and built with flood damage-resistant materials below the base flood elevation plus one foot, and its mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems must sit at or above that same plus-one-foot line. Sec. 3 depending on flood zone. The County Engineer serves as Floodplain Administrator under Sec. A, reviewing site plans, issuing Floodplain Approvals for structures exempt from the Florida Building Code, and requiring a sealed elevation certification of the lowest floor before vertical construction continues and again at final inspection under Sec.

B. Property owners who cannot meet the standard may apply to the three-member Flood Protection Review Committee, made up of the Public Works Director, Growth Management Director and Building Official or their designees, which must issue a written decision within 15 working days of convening under Sec. C. 00 of coverage under Sec. J(4).