Salt Lake County, UT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Salt Lake County is an active participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by FEMA. Title 16 Chapter 16.10 establishes Floodplain Management Regulations applicable to all Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) shown on adopted Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Principal floodplains in the unincorporated County include the Jordan River corridor running north-south through the Salt Lake Valley, Mill Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek, Little Cottonwood Creek, and various smaller drainages in the foothills and canyons. Before any development in an SFHA (new construction, substantial improvement exceeding 50 percent of market value, additions, grading, filling, or accessory structures), a floodplain development permit is required from the Salt Lake County Flood Control Engineering Division. New residential structures must have the lowest finished floor including basement elevated at least 1 foot above the BFE (1 foot of freeboard above FEMA minimum). Non-residential buildings may be either elevated or dry floodproofed to 1 foot above BFE. All materials below BFE must be flood-resistant. Manufactured homes in SFHAs require permanent foundations with elevated chassis. Fill placement requires engineering analysis of rise in BFE, with no-rise certifications typically required within mapped floodways. Enclosures below BFE are limited to parking, access, or storage and require flood vents providing at least 1 square inch per square foot of enclosed area. Failure to obtain a permit or comply with elevation standards can result in NFIP insurance policy exclusions and enforcement penalties.