Kenner, LA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Sec. 5-160 makes Kenner's floodplain chapter apply to every special flood hazard area (SFHA) and local flood hazard area within the city. Sec. 5-161 adopts by reference the Federal Insurance Administration's most recent effective flood insurance study, dated February 2, 2018, for Jefferson Parish, together with its flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and later amendments; those maps set zones AE and VE as special flood hazard areas. Sec. 5-162 similarly adopts the same study's zones X, X-Protected by Levee, and 0.2% Annual Chance areas as local flood hazard zones. Current and historic maps are kept on file with the parish department of floodplain management and hazard mitigation.

Sec. 5-163 bars filling, grading, developing, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, or altering any structure or land in these areas without complying with the chapter and 44 CFR Part 60, the federal National Flood Insurance Program regulation. Sec. 5-172 requires a permit from the director of the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement before any new development, construction, substantial improvement, repetitive-loss repair, or manufactured home placement, and Sec. 5-173 requires the application to include scaled plans and the proposed NAVD 88 elevation. Sec. 5-174 lets the department weigh flood danger, susceptibility to damage, and effect on other properties when reviewing that permit. Sec. 5-170 designates a floodplain administrator, working with the departments of inspection and code enforcement, public works, and planning, to administer the chapter.