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St. George, UT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

FEMA flood zone rules in St. George, UT, 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: Flood hazard development permit, engineer-prepared
Residential elevation: Lowest floor 2 ft above base flood elevation
Nonresidential elevation: 1 ft above base flood or floodproofed
Floodway rule: Encroachments banned absent no-rise certification
Reviewing authority: City Engineer or designee

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 St. George, UT.

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 St. George, UT on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

St. George requires an engineer-prepared flood hazard development permit for any construction in a FEMA special flood hazard area, plus minimum floor-elevation standards.

Flood hazard development permit application prepared by a registered professional engineer shall be submitted before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard. Application for a flood hazard permit shall be made on forms furnished by the city engineer or designee...

Source: St. George Community Development — Code EnforcementView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Any structure built, extended, or altered within a mapped special flood hazard area needs a flood hazard development permit application prepared by a registered professional engineer, submitted to the city engineer before construction begins. New residential structures must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation; nonresidential structures must be elevated or floodproofed one foot above base flood. Floodways carry an additional bar: encroachments, including fill and new construction, are prohibited unless an engineer certifies no rise in flood levels.

Violations & Fines

Building without the flood hazard development permit, or below the required elevation, is noncompliant with Title 10 chapter 13C; the city engineer can deny the permit outright, and occupancy is withheld until flood control improvements are completed and approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a St. George flood zone?

Yes. Any development in a FEMA special flood hazard area needs a flood hazard development permit application prepared by a registered professional engineer, filed before construction starts.

How high must a house be built in the flood hazard area?

New residential construction must have its lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation.

Can I fill or build in a mapped floodway?

Not without an engineer's certification that the work won't raise flood levels during a base flood; otherwise all encroachments, including fill, are prohibited.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. George

Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Vehicle Idling RestrictionsLight Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Curb Color RulesHeavy Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All St. George rules

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