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

Sec. 9-8 of the Rowan County Code establishes that a floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities within special flood hazard areas determined in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 9-7. Sec. 9-9 backs this with a compliance rule that no structure or land may be located, extended, converted, altered, or developed without full compliance with the chapter. The permit applies within the special flood hazard areas mapped in the county's November 16, 2018 Flood Insurance Study and DFIRM panels adopted under Sec.

9-7, covering unincorporated Rowan County outside municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions per Sec. 9-6. To apply, Sec. 9-32 requires a scaled plot plan showing the SFHA boundary, flood zone designation, floodway or non-encroachment area boundary, proposed elevations in NAVD 88, and certification by a licensed surveyor or engineer; any watercourse alteration also requires an engineering report on flood-carrying capacity upstream and downstream. Sec. 9-33 assigns the floodplain administrator to review every application, confirm other federal and state permits, including Clean Water Act Section 404 approval, have been obtained, and to make on-site inspections while work is under way. If the administrator finds a violation, Sec. S. 160D-1402(c).