Vanderburgh County, IN Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- BFE plus 2 feet (FPG)
- Governing section
- County Code § 18.04.050(C)
- Residential lowest floor
- At/above FPG, Zone A/AE
- Non-residential option
- Elevate to FPG or floodproof
- Elevation datum
- NAVD 88
- Certification required
- Surveyor/engineer Elevation Certificate
Summary
Vanderburgh County sets its Flood Protection Grade at the FEMA base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard, and new or substantially improved structures in Zone A or Zone AE must have their lowest floor built at or above that grade.
“Flood Protection Grade (FPG)” is the BFE plus two (2) feet at any given location in the SFHA. (See “Freeboard”) ... In Zone A and Zone AE, new construction or Substantial improvement of any residential Structure shall have the Lowest floor; including Basement, at or above the FPG. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a Structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with the standards of 18.04.050(C)(2)(c).
Full Breakdown
020). 050(C)(2)(b): in Zone A and Zone AE, new construction or a substantial improvement of a residential structure must have its lowest floor, including any basement, at or above the FPG. 050(C)(3)(b) must either be elevated to the FPG the same way or floodproofed to that level by a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect who certifies the structure and its utilities are watertight and can resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic flood forces. 050(C)(2)(c). 050(E). 040(B).
Violations & Fines
Building below the required Flood Protection Grade without the compliant elevation certification, or occupying a structure before the Floodplain Administrator reviews the required Elevation Certificate or floodproofing certificate, is a violation under Section 18.04.030(I), enforced as a common nuisance under the fine schedule at Section 15.08.170, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The Building Commission will withhold a Certificate of Completion or Occupancy until the certificate is reviewed under Section 18.04.040(B)(4)(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much freeboard does Vanderburgh County require above base flood elevation?
Can a non-residential building be floodproofed instead of elevated?
What proof does the county require after a structure is elevated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vanderburgh County
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