Brevard County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 12 inches above base flood elevation
- Applies to
- new construction & substantial improvements
- Citation
- Brevard County Code § 62-4062
- Penalty
- up to $500/day, 60 days jail
- Scope
- unincorporated Brevard County only
Summary
New construction and substantial improvements in Brevard County's special flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor built at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation, enforced by the county building official under Chapter 62.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a minimum of 12 inches above the base flood elevation. No portion of the structure, excluding the foundation, shall be below the base flood elevation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Brevard County Code § 62-4062 requires new construction and substantially improved residential structures in areas of special flood hazard to have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation: no part of the structure below that line except the foundation. Nonresidential buildings must meet the same 12-inch freeboard or be engineer-certified floodproofed to one foot above base flood elevation. This applies only in unincorporated Brevard; Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, Cocoa and other cities set their own flood standards. Violations carry fines up to $500 per day under § 62-4002.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required freeboard is a code violation carrying up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail per section 62-4002, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Brevard County require above base flood elevation?
Does this rule apply inside Melbourne or Palm Bay?
Can a business floodproof instead of elevating?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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