Margate, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 17, the Floodplain Management Ordinance, applies under § 17-2 to all flood hazard areas in the City of Margate. The minimum basis is the Flood Insurance Study for Broward County, Florida and Incorporated Areas dated August 18, 2014, with its flood insurance rate maps and later amendments. The studies and maps are on file at the Department of Environmental and Engineering Services, 901 NW 66th Avenue, Margate, FL 33063. Where surveyed topography by a Florida licensed surveyor shows ground below the closest applicable base flood elevation, the area is a flood hazard area even if the FIRM does not delineate it. Where ground is above that elevation, the area is still regulated as special flood hazard area unless the applicant obtains a letter of map change.

Section 17-1(2) reaches subdivision of land, filling and grading, construction, alteration and demolition, manufactured homes, tanks, recreational vehicles, swimming pools and any other development. Under § 17-4(1), the owner or authorized agent applies to the floodplain administrator, the director of DEES, and to the building official where applicable, and gets the permit first. The permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 180 days.

Engineering requirements scale with the location. In a regulatory floodway, a sealed encroachment analysis must show no increase in base flood elevations. In riverine areas with base flood elevations but no floodway, the analysis must show the cumulative effect will not raise the base flood elevation more than one foot. Where a Zone A has no elevation data, the administrator can set the base flood elevation at two feet above the highest adjacent grade or require engineered data. Recreational vehicles in flood hazard areas must stay fewer than 180 consecutive days or be road-ready under § 17-14.

Variances go to the floodplain administrative committee, at least three senior staff appointed by the city manager, with appeal to the City Commission and then Circuit Court. No variance issues for floodway development that raises base flood elevations, and increased costs or inconvenience are not hardship.