Albemarle County, VA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The FH overlay district is composed of every special flood hazard area shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study for Albemarle County, most recently amended effective May 16, 2016, both adopted by reference as the district's zoning map under § 18-30.3.2. Section 18-30.3.3 makes the district's rules apply to all privately and publicly owned land within any mapped special flood hazard area, supersedes any less restrictive conflicting ordinance, and, as of April 2, 2014, bars new development, relocation, construction, reconstruction, enlargement or structural alteration except in full compliance with § 18-30.3.

Any use or structure lawfully in place before that date is grandfathered as nonconforming. The county engineer serves as floodplain administrator under § 18-30.3.6, with authority to interpret Flood Insurance Rate Map boundaries, delegate inspections, maintain permit and elevation-certificate records, and report to FEMA. Before any development begins, § 18-30.3.12 requires the owner to obtain a floodplain development permit certifying the use is authorized, complies with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Water Protection and Subdivision Ordinances, and is reasonably safe from flooding; a grading permit is separately required for fill in the floodway fringe, and altering or relocating a watercourse requires Army Corps, Virginia DEQ and Marine Resources Commission permits plus notice to affected jurisdictions.

Development begun after April 2, 2014 without the required permit, elevation certificate or other documentation is presumed a violation under § 18-30.3.3(E) until the owner supplies documentation satisfying the floodplain administrator.