FEMA flood zone rules in Biloxi, MS β also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules β determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 2005) drove the largest rewrite of Biloxi's flood rules in city history. The City updated its Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Code of Ordinances Chapter 8) and adopted FEMA's revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) effective May 2009, and now requires 1 foot of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation. Federal authority is the National Flood Insurance Act (42 U.S.C. Β§4001 et seq.) and 44 CFR Part 60.3.
Biloxi participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System. After Katrina (Aug. 29, 2005) drove a 28-foot storm surge across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and pushed the floodplain inland past the historic 100-year and 500-year boundaries, the city adopted FEMA's revised DFIRM in May 2009 and amended Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Flood Damage Prevention. Article I (Sections 8-1-1 to 8-1-6) sets purpose, applicability, and definitions; Article II governs administration and the Floodplain Administrator; Article III (Sections 8-3-1 et seq.) sets specific flood hazard area standards. Biloxi requires 1 foot of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for new construction and substantial improvements. In A-zones (riverine/inland) the top of the lowest floor must be at or above BFE plus 1 ft; in V-zones (coastal high-hazard, subject to wave action) the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member must be at or above BFE plus 1 ft, and structures must be on open piles or columns with breakaway walls below. Substantial improvement / substantial damage thresholds (50% of pre-improvement market value) trigger full compliance under 44 CFR Β§59.1 / Β§60.3. Elevation Certificates (FEMA Form 086-0-33) are required at permit application and post-construction. Fill is restricted in floodways; new structures in V zones are barred from being constructed seaward of mean high tide. Permit review is handled by the Biloxi Community Development Department / Floodplain Administrator, (228) 435-6280, planning@biloxi.ms.us. Federal law: National Flood Insurance Act, 42 U.S.C. Β§4001 et seq.; 44 CFR Parts 59-60. State enabling: Miss. Code Ann. Β§17-1-3 et seq. (zoning) and Β§17-2-1 et seq. (building codes).
Building, filling, or making substantial improvements in a Special Flood Hazard Area without a floodplain development permit, or failing to elevate to BFE+1 ft, can result in stop-work orders, denial of certificate of occupancy, daily civil penalties under Chapter 8, loss of NFIP-backed flood insurance, and (for substantial damage) required full compliance with current elevation rules before reoccupancy.
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi limits construction noise to daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturdays, under local building and noise ordinances.
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi regulates leaf blower use primarily through general noise ordinance hours. Mississippi municipalities generally allow gas and electric blowers during ...
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi MS enforces noise ordinances in this Gulf Coast casino resort city. Twelve casino resorts create 24-hour entertainment noise while Keesler Air Force B...
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi addresses barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous or excessive barking complaints are handled through anim...
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems through local noise ordinances. Amplified sound is generally restricted during quiet hours from 10...
Biloxi, MS
Biloxi regulates RV and boat parking in residential areas through local zoning ordinances. Vehicles must typically be stored in side or rear yards behind the...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harrison County.
See how other cities in Harrison County handle flood zones.
See how Biloxi's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.