Volusia County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Volusia County, FL, 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
- County Code § 72-745(a)
- Scope
- All flood hazard areas, unincorporated county
- Basis maps
- Sept. 29, 2017 Flood Insurance Study/FIRM
- Presumption
- Missing elevation proof presumed a violation
- Enforcement
- Stop-work order or notice of violation
Summary
Any development in a flood hazard area of unincorporated Volusia County, from grading and fences to home additions, needs a permit before work starts. County Code § 72-745(a) requires an application to the floodplain administrator and proof of compliance with the Floodplain Management Ordinance before any permit issues.
(a)Permits or approvals required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this division, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area shall first make application to the floodplain administrator, and the building official if applicable, and shall obtain the required permit(s) and approval(s). No such permit or approval shall be issued until compliance with the requirements of this division and all other applicable codes and regulations has been satisfied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Division 7 of the Land Development Code, the Floodplain Management Ordinance (Ord. No. 2019-8, § I, 4-16-19), applies to all development wholly or partially within a flood hazard area of unincorporated Volusia County: including subdivision of land, filling, grading, utility installation, construction or alteration of buildings and structures exempt from the Florida Building Code, manufactured home placement, tank installation and swimming pool construction. Section 72-745(a) requires anyone undertaking such development to apply to the floodplain administrator (and the building official, where applicable) and obtain the required permits and approvals before starting; no permit issues until compliance with the division and all other applicable codes is shown.
§§ 59-60. Flood hazard areas are established from the September 29, 2017 Flood Insurance Study and FIRM maps kept on file at the Growth and Resource Management Department, 123 W. , DeLand. Where field-surveyed topography shows ground below the applicable base flood elevation, the parcel is treated as flood hazard area even if the FIRM does not delineate it that way (§ 72-742(d)). Where this division conflicts with another county ordinance, the more restrictive standard controls (§ 72-742(f)).
Violations & Fines
Section 72-749 makes any unpermitted development, work that conflicts with an issued permit, or noncompliance with the division a violation; a building without documented lowest-floor elevation or other required compliance evidence is presumed to be in violation until the owner provides it. The floodplain administrator can issue a notice of violation or a stop-work order, and § 72-748 gives an aggrieved applicant a path to a variance or appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a Volusia County flood zone?
How does the county decide which areas count as flood hazard areas?
What happens if I build without a floodplain permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Volusia County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Volusia County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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