Wayne County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Wayne County's floodplain ordinance, Chapter 38, applies the extra freeboard cushion required by the state's minimum standards. Section 38-5 defines the "regulatory flood protection elevation" as the base flood elevation (BFE) plus two feet of freeboard in mapped special flood hazard areas, or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where FEMA has not established a BFE. Section 38-62(1) applies that elevation to residential construction: new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, must have its reference level, including any basement, elevated no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation.

Section 38-62(2) applies the same elevation to commercial and other nonresidential structures, though those may be floodproofed to the same elevation instead of raised, with a professional engineer or architect certifying the floodproofing. Manufactured homes get their own provision at § 38-62(3), requiring the reference level to meet the same BFE-plus-two-feet standard and the chassis to be anchored against flotation and lateral movement. The planning director serves as floodplain administrator under § 38-32 and reviews floodplain development permit applications under § 38-33, which require a certified plot plan, proposed elevation data referenced to NAVD 1988, and an elevation certificate before construction starts and again after it finishes. 00 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense.