Catawba County, NC Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Catawba County, NC, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 44-429.04, general provisions
- Permit required
- floodplain development permit before any activity
- Map basis
- FEMA FIS/FIRM dated September 5, 2007
- Administering official
- county planning director
- Appeals body
- board of adjustment (variances)
Summary
Any development in a Catawba County special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit before work starts, under Sec. 44-429.04. The county maps those areas from FEMA's September 5, 2007 flood insurance study and rate maps, adopted by reference into Sec. 44-429.04(b), and Sec. 44-429.04(d) bars locating, extending, converting, altering or developing any structure or land there without full compliance with the chapter.
(a)Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all special flood hazard areas (SFHA) within the jurisdiction of the county.(b)Basis for establishing the special flood hazard areas. The special flood hazard areas are those identified under the cooperating technical state (CTS) agreement between the state and FEMA in its flood insurance study (FIS) and its accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) for the county dated September 5, 2007, which are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. ... (c)Establishment of floodplain development permit. A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities within special flood hazard areas as determined in subsection 44-429.04(b).(d)Compliance. No structure or land shall be located, extended, converted, altered, or developed in any way without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.
Full Breakdown
Sec. § 160D-923 under Sec. 01. Sec. 04(a) applies the chapter to 'all special flood hazard areas (SFHA) within the jurisdiction of the county,' and subsection (b) bases those areas on the flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps FEMA issued for the county 'dated September 5, 2007,' which the ordinance adopts by reference; the initial map for the unincorporated county dates to September 3, 1980. ' The planning director administers permits, certifications and corrective action under Secs. 11, and the board of adjustment hears variance requests under Sec.
12. Sec. 02 carries forward the county's flood damage prevention ordinance first enacted September 3, 1980, so any new construction, substantial improvement or change of use after passage of the current chapter must meet the current standards, including the general construction standards of Sec. 14 and the elevation standards of Sec. 15.
Violations & Fines
Developing in a special flood hazard area without the required permit, or in violation of the chapter's terms, is enforced under Sec. 44-429.11's corrective procedures and the general chapter 44 violation powers of Sec. 44-369: the county can issue a notice of violation, order a stop-work order, and pursue any remedy under G.S. 153A-123, including an injunction, while variances go to the board of adjustment under Sec. 44-429.12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a Catawba County flood zone?
What maps define the flood hazard areas?
Can I alter an existing structure in the floodplain without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Catawba County
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