FEMA flood zone rules in Little Rock, AR — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Little Rock participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and regulates development in flood-prone areas. Construction in designated flood zones requires elevation certificates and flood-resistant building techniques. The city maintains digital floodplain maps accessible online.
Little Rock administers floodplain management regulations consistent with FEMA requirements and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city's floodplain areas are mapped on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and are accessible through the city's online flood zone viewer. New construction and substantial improvements in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Fill, grading, and encroachment in the floodway are strictly regulated. Property owners in flood zones are strongly encouraged to purchase flood insurance, which is required for federally backed mortgages.
Building in flood zones without proper permits and elevation requirements can result in stop-work orders, fines, and loss of flood insurance eligibility for the community.
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See how Little Rock's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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