Birmingham, AL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Article VI, Section 10 of the zoning ordinance establishes the city's floodplain zone districts, applying to all areas of special flood hazard within the corporate limits of the City of Birmingham as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Flood Insurance Study, City of Birmingham, Alabama, Jefferson County, dated September 16, 1980, along with its accompanying flood insurance rate maps. The section requires a floodplain development permit before any development activity in a mapped flood hazard area, a category defined broadly to include buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling operations, or storage of materials or equipment.

The director of the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits administers the program, reviews permit applications, verifies as-built floor elevations, and interprets disputed flood-zone boundaries, with appeals going to the zoning board of adjustment. Where this floodplain section conflicts with another city regulation, the more stringent standard controls. The ordinance is explicit that its protections are a floor, not a guarantee: it does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages, and it disclaims city liability for damages that occur despite compliance.

Underground storage of fuel or other toxic or flammable substances is expressly prohibited anywhere in the floodplain, and any hazardous or toxic material stored in a floodplain must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation.