Craighead County, AR Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Craighead County, AR, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Craighead County Code § 280.00
- State authority
- A.C.A. §§ 14-268-101 to 105
- Max fine
- $100 per offense, per day
- Code location
- Filed with County Clerk
- Last amended
- 2007 (Ord. 2007-020)
Summary
In unincorporated Craighead County, all development is governed by a flood damage prevention regulatory code the Quorum Court adopted by reference under § 280.00, tracking the state authority in A.C.A. §§ 14-268-101 to 105. Violators face a $100-per-day fine.
1) FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION REGULATORY CODE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE. There is hereby adopted by reference a flood damage prevention regulatory code for Craighead County, Arkansas, such flood damage prevention regulatory code having been delegated by the legislature of the State of Arkansas and set forth in A.C.A. §§ 14-268-101—14-268-105 (Act 629 of 1969). A copy of the referenced regulatory code shall be filed in the office of the County Clerk and shall be available for inspection and copying by any person during normal office hours. 2) The code shall include the following articles: ... ARTICLE 1. Statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpose, and methods ARTICLE 2. Definitions ARTICLE 3. General provisions ARTICLE 4. Administration ARTICLE 5. Provisions for flood hazard reduction 3) Any person or corporation who violates any measure adopted under this Code ... may be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense. Each day during which such violation exists is a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Craighead County does not write its own flood-hazard rules from scratch. §§ 14-268-101 through 14-268-105 (Act 629 of 1969). That adopted code is organized into five articles: statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpose and methods (Article 1); definitions (Article 2); general provisions (Article 3); administration (Article 4); and provisions for flood hazard reduction (Article 5). 00 before design work begins. The ordinance was originally passed in 1993 and has been amended twice, in 2004 and 2007, keeping the county's floodplain management program current with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program requirements so property owners in mapped zones remain eligible for federally backed flood insurance. Enforcement runs through the County Judge's office and the Road Department, which administer development approvals in unincorporated areas.
Violations & Fines
Any person or corporation who violates a measure adopted under the flood damage prevention code may be fined up to $100 per offense, and § 280.00 makes each day a violation continues a separate offense, so a project built out of compliance can accumulate daily fines quickly until it is brought into conformance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I read the actual flood damage prevention code for Craighead County?
What happens if I build in a flood hazard area without following the adopted code?
Does the county's flood ordinance apply to municipalities like Jonesboro or Lake City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Craighead County
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