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

Sec. 32-317 ties the special flood hazard areas to the flood insurance study (FIS) and DFIRM panels the state and FEMA produced under a cooperating technical state agreement dated December 6, 2019, and any later letter or physical map revision must be adopted within three months of issuance. Sec. 32-318 then requires a floodplain development permit "in conformance with the provisions of this division prior to the commencement of any development activities" inside those mapped areas. Sec. 32-325 spells out what the application needs: a certified plot plan showing the special flood hazard boundary, floodway or non-encroachment lines, and base flood elevation; the proposed elevation of the reference level and all utilities in relation to NAVD 1988; and, for floodproofed non-residential buildings, a FEMA floodproofing certificate with an operational plan.

An elevation certificate is due before construction starts, again within seven days after the reference level is set, and a final as-built certificate before the county issues a certificate of occupancy. The zoning administrator, acting as floodplain administrator under Sec. 32-324, reviews applications, inspects work in progress, can issue stop-work orders, and can revoke a permit for a substantial departure from approved plans or a false statement used to obtain it. Sec. 32-328 lets the county board of adjustment grant a variance, but only on findings of good and sufficient cause and exceptional hardship, and any variance issued below the base flood elevation triggers a written warning that flood-insurance premiums can run up to $25.00 per $100.00 of coverage.