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

Article 13, "Flood Hazard Area Regulations," of the Lee County Unified Development Ordinance applies to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the City of Sanford, the Town of Broadway and Lee County, based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Study dated September 6, 1989 and its accompanying maps, which Section 13.3.2 adopts by reference. Section 13.3.3 requires a development permit before the commencement of "any development activities" in a mapped flood hazard area, and Section 13.3.4 bars locating, extending, converting or structurally altering any structure or land without full compliance with the article. The Department of Community Development, designated as local administrator under Section 13.4.1, reviews applications, can require an engineer's certification for floodproofed structures, and inspects work under Section 13.6.

Beyond the general development permit, Article 13 sets specific standards depending on where a parcel sits: Section 13.8.3 sets elevation requirements for new construction, Section 13.8.3.4 bars most encroachments within a mapped floodway unless an engineer certifies no increase in flood levels, and Section 13.8.4 applies a stream-buffer style standard to small streams lacking mapped base flood data, barring encroachments within twice the stream's top-of-bank width or 20 feet, whichever is greater. Variances from these standards go to the board of adjustment under Section 13.7, which must weigh the danger to life and property, the availability of alternative sites, and whether the variance would raise flood levels. Section 13.3.8 makes any violation, including breach of a variance condition, a misdemeanor carrying a fine of not more than $50.00 or up to 30 days imprisonment, each day of continued violation a separate offense.