Cumberland County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Cumberland County's flood damage prevention chapter applies to every special flood hazard area within the unincorporated county's jurisdiction, based on the flood insurance study FEMA and the state prepared for the county, dated December 18, 2007, and the county's initial flood insurance rate map for the unincorporated area, dated February 17, 1982 (Sec. 5-21; Sec. 5-22). No structure or land may be located, extended, converted, altered or developed in a special flood hazard area without a floodplain development permit issued in conformance with the chapter, obtained before any development activity begins (Sec.

5-23; Sec. 5-24). General standards require all new construction and substantial improvements to be anchored against flotation and lateral movement, built of flood-resistant materials, and designed so mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment stays dry up to the regulatory flood protection elevation (Sec. 5-51(1)-(4)). New solid waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste management facilities, salvage yards and chemical storage facilities are barred outright from special flood hazard areas except by variance (Sec. 5-51(10)). Inside a mapped floodway or non-encroachment area, no fill, construction or other development is allowed unless an engineering study proves it will not raise flood levels during the base flood, or FEMA has approved a conditional letter of map revision, and manufactured homes are barred there except as replacements in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision (Sec. 5-56).