Martin County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Martin 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 maps
- FIRM/FIS dated February 19, 2020
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Martin County only
- Permit needed
- Development order or Floodplain Approval
- Approval expiration
- 180 days if work not started
- Conflict rule
- More restrictive regulation controls
Summary
Every subdivision, building, fill operation and utility installation wholly or partly within a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area in unincorporated Martin County must comply with Land Development Regulations Division 10. The boundaries come from the February 19, 2020 Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and a development order or Floodplain Approval is required before work begins.
4.421.A.Scope. The provisions of this division shall apply to all development that is wholly within or partially within any Special Flood Hazard Area, including but not limited to the subdivision of land; filling, grading, and other site improvements and utility installations; construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, improvement, replacement, repair, relocation or demolition of buildings, structures, and facilities that are exempt from the Florida Building Code... 4.422.C.The Flood Insurance Study for Martin County, Florida and Incorporated Areas dated February 19, 2020, and all subsequent amendments and revisions, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and all subsequent amendments and revisions to such maps, are adopted by reference as a part of this division and shall serve as the minimum basis for establishing the Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 | Land Development Regulations: Supplement 62).
Full Breakdown
Sec. A sets the scope of Division 10: it reaches 'all development that is wholly within or partially within any Special Flood Hazard Area,' listing subdivision of land, filling and grading, construction and demolition of buildings exempt from the Florida Building Code, manufactured home placement, tank installation, recreational vehicle placement, swimming pool installation, and emergency generator installation. Sec. B confines that reach to Special Flood Hazard Areas 'within the unincorporated Martin County,' and Sec. C adopts by reference 'the Flood Insurance Study for Martin County, Florida and Incorporated Areas dated February 19, 2020, and all subsequent amendments and revisions, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)' as the minimum basis for mapping those areas, with the underlying studies kept on file in the Engineering Department.
Where Division 10 conflicts with another county ordinance or the Florida Building Code, Sec. E requires the more restrictive rule to govern. Sec. A requires any owner undertaking development in a mapped zone to obtain a development order, building permit or other permit such as an Excavation and Fill Permit before work starts, and Sec. B requires a separate Floodplain Approval for development not subject to the Florida Building Code, including specific exempt categories listed in Sec. C such as railroads, farm buildings, temporary construction sheds, and Miccosukee or Seminole chickees.
A Floodplain Approval expires if work has not started within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, per Sec. G, though the Floodplain Administrator can grant 180-day extensions for justified cause.
Violations & Fines
Undertaking development in a Special Flood Hazard Area without the required development order, permit or Floodplain Approval is enforced the same way as any other Division 10 violation: the Floodplain Administrator can issue a notice of violation or stop-work order, and the case can be referred to the Code Enforcement Board under Article 4, Chapter 1 of the Code of Ordinances, with continued work after a stop-work order subject to penalties as prescribed by law under Sec. 4.429.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers Martin County's Special Flood Hazard Area rules?
Which flood maps does Martin County use?
How long is a Floodplain Approval valid before I have to start work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Martin County
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