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High Point, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in High Point, NC, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Applies within: City limits + ETJ, all 4 counties
Permit required: Floodplain Development Permit, § 2.5.8
Maps used: FEMA FIS/FIRM by county
Reviewed by: Engineering Services Director
City liability: None for flood damage

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in High Point, NC.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up High Point, NC on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Any development within High Point's mapped special flood hazard areas, inside the city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction across all four counties, needs a floodplain development permit before work starts, per FEMA flood maps adopted for Guilford, Davidson, Forsyth, and Randolph counties.

This section shall apply to development in all special flood hazard areas within the corporate limits and ETJ of the City of High Point.B.Basis for Establishing Special Flood Hazard Areas The special flood hazard areas are those identified under the Cooperating Technical State (CTS) agreement between the State of North Carolina and FEMA in its Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), for Guilford County dated March 16, 2009, Davidson County, dated March 16, 2009, Forsyth County, dated January 2, 2009, and Randolph County, dated January 8, 2008, along with its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map Panels (6789, 6798, 6799K, 6880, 6881, 6882K, 6890K, 6891K, 6892K, 6893K, 6894K, 7708, 7709K, 7719K, 7729K, 7739, 7800, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7804, 7805, 7810, 7811, 7812, 7813, 7814, 7815, 7820, 7821, 7822, 7823, 7824, and 7830), which are incorporated herein by reference.C.Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit A floodplain development permit is required prior to commencement of development within special flood hazard areas determined in accordance with the provisions of this section and Section 2.5.8, Floodplain Development Permit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9 | Development Ordinance: Supplement 14).

Full Breakdown

High Point's special flood hazard areas are mapped under FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map panels adopted for Guilford County (3/16/2009), Davidson County (3/16/2009), Forsyth County (1/2/2009), and Randolph County (1/8/2008): reflecting the city's unusual four-county footprint. Before any development begins in a mapped special flood hazard area, § 6.4.1.C requires a floodplain development permit under § 2.5.8. Applicants must submit elevation certificates before construction starts, after the reference level is set, and again as-built before a certificate of occupancy is issued, all reviewed by the Engineering Services Director. The Ordinance is explicit that meeting these standards does not guarantee a property will stay dry, and creates no City liability for flood damage.

Violations & Fines

Developing in a special flood hazard area without an approved floodplain development permit, or failing to submit required elevation certificates, is grounds to deny the permit or withhold a certificate of occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a High Point flood zone?

Yes. Development Ordinance § 6.4.1.C requires a floodplain development permit before any construction in a mapped special flood hazard area, whether the land sits in Guilford, Randolph, Davidson, or Forsyth County.

Which FEMA maps apply in High Point?

Because the city spans four counties, High Point uses the separate Flood Insurance Rate Maps adopted for Guilford, Davidson, Forsyth, and Randolph counties, listed in § 6.4.1.B.

Sources & Official References

[1]High Point Development Ordinance § 6.4, Flood Damage Prevention

Other rules in High Point

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions

All High Point rules

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