St. Johns County, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in St. Johns County, FL, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Flood maps adopted
- FIS dated Dec. 7, 2018 and FIRM
- Permit required
- Before any development in Flood Hazard Area
- Administered by
- Floodplain Administrator, Growth Management Dept.
- Permit expiration
- 180 days if work not started
- Records location
- Building Dept., 4040 Lewis Speedway
- Applies to
- Unincorporated St. Johns County only
Summary
Unincorporated St. Johns County regulates all development in mapped Flood Hazard Areas under the Flood Damage Control Regulations at LDC Part 3.03.00. Flood zones are set by the December 7, 2018 Flood Insurance Study and accompanying FIRM, and any subdivision, filling, grading, or building work in those zones needs a Floodplain Administrator permit first.
B. Areas to Which These Regulations Apply These regulations shall apply to all Flood Hazard Areas within St. Johns County, as established in Section 3.03.02.C, below. C. Basis for Establishing Flood Hazard Areas The FIS for St. Johns County, Florida and Incorporate Areas dated December 7, 2018, and all subsequent amendments and revisions, and the accompanying FIRM, and all subsequent amendments and revisions to such maps, are adopted by reference as a part of these regulations and shall serve as the minimum basis for establishing Flood Hazard Areas. Studies and maps that establish Flood Hazard Areas are on file at the Building Department, 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
B. C adopts the Flood Insurance Study for St. Johns County dated December 7, 2018, along with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map, as the minimum basis for drawing Flood Hazard Area boundaries; those studies and maps are kept on file at the Building Department, 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine. C. A requires any owner or agent undertaking development in a Flood Hazard Area to apply to the Floodplain Administrator and obtain the required permit before starting work, and no permit issues until compliance with these regulations and other applicable codes is shown.
E a Floodplain Development Permit becomes invalid if work does not start within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended for 180 days after it starts; extensions of up to 180 days each require a written request showing justifiable cause. F lets the Floodplain Administrator suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or based on incorrect information.
Violations & Fines
Section 3.03.08.A deems any development performed without an issued Floodplain Development Permit, or that conflicts with an issued permit, a violation of the flood damage control regulations. A building without documented Lowest Floor elevation or other required design certification is presumed in violation until that documentation is produced. The Floodplain Administrator may serve a notice of violation or stop work order on the owner, the owner's agent, or whoever is performing the work under Section 3.03.08.B, and Section 3.03.08.C makes anyone who keeps working after being served such a notice subject to penalties prescribed by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a St. Johns County flood zone?
What maps set the flood zones in St. Johns County?
How long is a floodplain development permit good for?
What happens if I develop in a flood zone without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Johns County
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