Lafayette Parish, LA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The LCG Floodplain Ordinance implements the NFIP under 44 CFR §60.3 across the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish. New residential structures in SFHAs must have the lowest floor (including all mechanical and electrical equipment serving the structure) elevated to at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation. New non-residential structures must be elevated or dry-floodproofed to 1 foot above BFE. The 1-foot margin above BFE is called freeboard. Substantial improvement triggers full new-construction standards if cumulative improvements over a rolling 10-year period exceed 50% of the structure's market value, or if additions exceed 50% of original square footage. Any development encroaching the regulatory floodway must submit a Certificate of No-Rise demonstrating the project will not raise the BFE. Federally backed mortgages on properties in SFHAs require NFIP flood insurance under 42 U.S.C. §4012a. LCG voluntarily participates in the FEMA Community Rating System and holds a Class 7 rating, granting policyholders a 15% premium discount on flood insurance. The effective FIRM for Lafayette Parish is dated 12/21/2018. Most riverine flooding affects homes along coulees that drain to the Vermilion River, not the riverbanks themselves; the August 2016 floods caused significant losses across south Louisiana including Lafayette. Floodplain Administrator: (337) 291-8468.