West Valley City, UT Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Applies to
- New & substantially improved homes
- Certification by
- PE, architect, or land surveyor
- Nonresidential option
- Floodproofing in lieu of elevation
Summary
In West Valley City's mapped flood hazard areas, new and substantially improved homes must have their lowest floor elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, certified by a licensed engineer, architect, or surveyor.
Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Flood plain Administrator that the standard of this subsection as proposed in Section 25-4-103(1), is satisfied.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-30, passed June 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Where base flood elevation data has been established for a site, West Valley City Municipal Code § 25-5-102(1) requires the lowest floor, including any basement, of new and substantially improved residential structures to sit a minimum of one foot above base flood elevation (freeboard). A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must certify to the Flood Plain Administrator that the standard is met. Nonresidential structures may instead be floodproofed watertight below that level under § 25-5-102(2), with the same engineering certification on file with the City.
Violations & Fines
Building or substantially improving a residential structure in a special flood hazard area below the one-foot freeboard standard, or without the required elevation certification filed with the Flood Plain Administrator, violates Title 25 and blocks Development Permit approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above the flood elevation must a new house be built in West Valley City?
Who has to certify compliance with the freeboard requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Valley City
Compare West Valley City to another location·View the Utah environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle flood elevation requirements.