Any development in a flood zone within Pinellas Park requires a city floodplain permit. The city's Land Development Code Article 8 implements FEMA NFIP elevation, construction, and substantial improvement standards based on FIRM-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Pinellas Park's Land Development Code Article 8 (Floodplain) governs construction in FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), generally Zones A, AE, AH, AO, and X (shaded). New construction and substantial improvements must elevate the lowest floor at or above the Base Flood Elevation, often with city-required freeboard. Elevation Certificates prepared by a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or registered architect are required to document compliance and to set NFIP flood insurance rates. The city maintains elevation certificates on buildings constructed in the floodplain since 1989. Substantial improvement and substantial damage rules cap repairs and additions at less than 50% of pre-improvement market value before triggering full floodplain compliance.
Building without a floodplain permit, falsifying elevation certificates, or exceeding the 50% substantial improvement threshold without elevation can trigger fines and NFIP non-compliance.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle flood zones.
See how Pinellas Park's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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