Sangamon County, IL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- One foot above base flood elevation
- Governs
- Special flood hazard areas, unincorporated county
- Lowest floor
- At or above FPE required
- Permit needed
- Floodplain development permit, Executive Director
Summary
Sangamon County defines the flood protection elevation as the base flood elevation plus one foot, and floodplain development must set the lowest floor at or above that line.
"FPE" or "Flood Protection Elevation" means the elevation of the base flood plus one foot at any given location in the floodplain.
"Flood" means a general and temporary condition of inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow, the unusual and rapid accumulation, or the runoff of surface waters from any source.
"Flood fringe" means that portion of the floodplain outside of the regulatory floodway.
"Flood insurance rate map" means a map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that depicts the special flood hazard area (SFHA) within a community. This map includes insurance rate zones and may or may not depict floodways and show base flood elevations.
"Floodplain" means those lands within the jurisdiction of the County that are subject to inundation by the base flood.
"Floodplain development permit" means a permit issued by the Executive Director granting authority to proceed with a development upon finding that the proposed development meets the requirements of this ordinance.
"Floodproofing" means any combination of structural or nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate, property and their contents.
"Floodproofing certificate" means a form published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is used to certify that a building has been designed and constructed to be structurally dry floodproofed to the flood protection elevation.
Full Breakdown
The county's floodplain code, Title 16 Chapter 16.72, sets a one-foot freeboard above the FEMA base flood elevation as the Flood Protection Elevation, or FPE. Any building placed in a special flood hazard area under a floodplain development permit, new construction, an addition over 70 square feet, a substantial improvement, or a manufactured home, must have its lowest floor, including the basement, built at or above the FPE, with fill extending at least ten feet beyond the foundation before sloping below that line. This applies in unincorporated Sangamon County; Springfield and the other municipalities administer their own floodplain rules.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required FPE without an approved floodplain development permit is unlawful, and the Executive Director may deny, revoke, or refuse to reissue the permit until the elevation requirement is met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sangamon County's freeboard requirement?
Does this flood elevation rule apply in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sangamon County
Compare Sangamon County to another location·View the Illinois environmental rules overview
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