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

Section 122-1 establishes the Floodplain Management Ordinance of Monroe County and defines its scope broadly: it reaches the subdivision of land, filling, grading and other site improvements, utility installation, construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, replacement, repair, relocation or demolition of buildings and structures exempt from the Florida Building Code, placement or replacement of manufactured homes and buildings, tank installation or replacement, placement of recreational vehicles, installation of swimming pools, and any other development. The stated purpose is to keep the county eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program while minimizing flood-related losses, and the ordinance is written to be construed in the county's favor with deference given to Growth Management staff interpretation.

Section 122-2 ties this to the flood insurance study for Monroe County dated February 18, 2005, and the accompanying FEMA flood insurance rate maps, adopted by reference as the minimum basis for establishing flood hazard areas, along with any later FEMA letters of map change. Where a surveyed ground elevation sits below the applicable base flood elevation, even outside a mapped special flood hazard area, Section 122-2(d) treats the parcel as flood hazard area subject to the chapter regardless of the map designation. The chapter supersedes conflicting prior floodplain ordinances but stays cumulative with the county's other land development regulations, zoning ordinances, stormwater rules, and the Florida Building Code, with the more restrictive requirement controlling any conflict.