Sanford, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 46 of the Sanford City Code, the floodplain management ordinance adopted by Ord. No. 2015-4360 and amended by Ord. No. 4613 in 2021, governs any development wholly or partially within a flood hazard area: subdivisions, filling and grading, construction or alteration of buildings exempt from the Florida Building Code, manufactured homes, tanks, recreational vehicles and swimming pools (§46-2). Flood hazard areas are established from the flood insurance study for Seminole County and Incorporated Areas dated September 28, 2007, and the accompanying flood insurance rate maps, both on file with the city clerk at 300 North Park Avenue (§46-33).

Before starting covered work, an owner or authorized agent must apply to the floodplain administrator, and the building official where applicable, for a floodplain development permit and cannot proceed until compliance with Chapter 46 and all other applicable codes is confirmed (§46-91). Applications must identify and describe the development, the parcel, intended use, a site plan or construction documents, and the estimated value of work (§46-94). A permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, though the floodplain administrator may grant extensions of up to 180 days for justifiable cause (§46-96), and the administrator can suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or in violation of the chapter (§46-97).

Where ground elevations fall below the applicable base flood elevation, the administrator may require additional surveyed data even outside mapped special flood hazard areas (§46-34). Projects must also secure any separate St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Department of Health, or Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits before work begins (§46-98).