Leon County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Leon County joined FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and adopted Section 10-8 of the Leon County Code of Laws to enforce floodplain management standards; the Florida Building Code governs construction in unincorporated areas. FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) delineate the 100-year floodplain (Special Flood Hazard Areas). Per the County's flood regulations, the lowest floor of residential structures in SFHAs must be elevated to at least the flood protection elevation, which is generally 3 feet above the base flood elevation (a 3-foot freeboard standard). Commercial/nonresidential structures must either elevate to the flood protection elevation or be floodproofed watertight with walls substantially impermeable to water. Notably, all newly constructed detached single-family, duplex, triplex and quadraplex structures and substantial improvements — regardless of whether they sit in a mapped flood zone — must have their lowest floor a minimum of one foot higher than the finished grade elevation measured five feet from the foundation. An Elevation Certificate is required for new construction and substantial improvements. All development in unincorporated Leon County requires a permit from Development Support & Environmental Management (DSEM); there are no exemptions inside SFHAs.