Bonita Springs, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 24 of the Bonita Springs Code applies to all development inside the city limits that falls wholly or partly within a flood hazard area. Sec. 24-1 lists what counts: subdivision of land; filling, grading and other site improvements; construction, alteration, repair, relocation or demolition of buildings and structures exempt from the Florida Building Code; placement of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles; installation of tanks and swimming pools; and any other development. A flood hazard area is the greater of the area subject to a 1-percent or greater chance of flooding in any year and the area designated on the community's flood hazard map. Special flood hazard areas appear on the FIRMs as zone A, AO, AE, AH, V or VE, among others.

Sec. 24-21 designates the building official as floodplain administrator. Under Sec. 24-23, the administrator reviews applications to see whether new development sits in a flood hazard area, provides available flood elevation information, interprets flood hazard boundaries (a person contesting the call can appeal), and issues or denies floodplain development permits for development outside the building code. Sec. 24-35 requires those permits for items such as railroads, temporary construction sheds, mobile or modular temporary offices, and family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet.

For work on existing buildings, Sec. 24-24 has the administrator compare the cost of improvement or repair with the market value; the definition of substantial improvement uses 50 percent of market value over a five-year period. Sec. 24-46 requires certain analyses signed and sealed by a Florida licensed engineer, including a floodway encroachment analysis. Sec. 24-62 sends appeals of the administrator's decisions to the hearing examiner, with further appeal to circuit court. Sec. 24-4 warns that larger floods can and will occur.