Auburn, AL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Article II of Chapter 7 implements Auburn's participation in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Under § 7-20, the article applies to all FEMA special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) and any additional area the city designates as flood-prone, based on the flood insurance study and rate maps for Lee County adopted at § 7-21. Section 7-22 requires a floodplain development permit, issued by the floodplain administrator (the city engineer, per § 7-35), before any 'development' begins in those areas, defined broadly to include new construction, substantial improvements, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling and storage of equipment or materials.

Applicants must submit plot plans showing base flood elevations, the flood zone designation, and the proposed lowest-floor elevation, plus engineering certifications where a nonresidential structure will be floodproofed instead of elevated. Once construction starts, the floodplain administrator can inspect the site, and the permit holder must submit an as-built elevation certificate before a certificate of occupancy issues. Section 7-27 makes any violation of Article II a misdemeanor and gives the city a stop-work order, a written notice of violation with a stated correction deadline, and civil penalties of up to $500 and 180 days imprisonment per day of continuing violation.

Persons who receive a notice of violation can appeal in writing to the floodplain administrator within 10 days, with a hearing before the city council, sitting as the appeals board, within 30 days of that request.