Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Sebastian County

Sebastian County, AR Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Sebastian County, AR, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit required for: Fill, grading, structures in SFHA
Issued by: Floodplain Administrator
Basements: Prohibited in flood hazard areas
Appeals go to: Appeal Board (§ 151.15)
Governing ordinance: Ord. 2023-27, passed 11-21-23

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Sebastian County, AR.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Sebastian County, AR on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Any structural work, fill, grading, drilling, or utility installation in a special flood hazard area in unincorporated Sebastian County needs a floodplain development permit from the Floodplain Administrator before work begins.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Smith has its own flood zones rules that differ from Sebastian County's county-level regulations. If you live in Fort Smith, check the city-specific page instead.

A floodplain development permit is required for all structural development, placement of manufactured structures, clearing, grading, mining, drilling, dredging, placement of fill, excavating, watercourse alteration, drainage improvements, roadway or bridge construction, individual water or sewer installations or any other development in a special flood hazard area to ensure conformance with the provisions of this code.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-62: 2026 S-62 contains Local legislation current through April 21, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Chapter 151, Flood Damage Prevention, was adopted by Ordinance 2023-27 on November 21, 2023, and amended by Ordinance 2023-32 (December 19, 2023) and Ordinance 2024-11 (June 18, 2024). 12 requires a floodplain development permit for all structural development, placement of manufactured structures, clearing, grading, mining, drilling, dredging, placement of fill, excavating, watercourse alteration, drainage improvements, roadway or bridge construction, or individual water or sewer installations in a special flood hazard area, to ensure conformance with the code. 15. § 14-268-106 through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, coordinating with federal Section 404 wetlands permitting, and evaluating flood elevation, velocity, and erosion impact before deciding an application.

20(N). 20(T) confirms the permit trigger: any development proposal in the 100-year or 500-year special flood hazard area, or other high-risk area, requires the permit before construction starts.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 151 does not set its own fine schedule, so building without the required floodplain development permit, or in violation of the general standards in Section 151.20 (including the basement prohibition), falls under the county's general penalty at Section 10.99: up to $500 for a first offense (up to $1,000 for repeats) and up to $250 per day for a continuing violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to fill or grade land in a flood zone in Sebastian County?

Yes. Section 151.12 requires a floodplain development permit for grading, filling, excavating, drilling, dredging, and most other development in a special flood hazard area, issued by the county's Floodplain Administrator.

Can I build a basement in a Sebastian County flood hazard area?

No. Section 151.20(N) prohibits construction of basement foundations in any special flood hazard area or other high-risk area, regardless of the type of development proposed.

Who reviews floodplain development permit applications?

The Floodplain Administrator, under Section 151.11, who evaluates flood elevation, velocity, erosion risk, and compliance with the code, and whose decision can be appealed to the Appeal Board under Section 151.15.

Sources & Official References

[1]Sebastian County Code of Ordinances § 151.12

Other rules in Sebastian County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSignificant Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSignificant Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSignificant Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions Fire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSome Restrictions

All Sebastian County rules

Compare Sebastian County to another location·View the Arkansas environmental rules overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Flood Zones in Cities Across Sebastian County

Fort Smith, AR