FEMA flood zone rules in St. Louis, MO — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
St. Louis includes significant FEMA SFHA areas along the Mississippi River, Missouri River (north city edge), and River des Peres. Historic flooding (1993 Great Flood, 2015, 2022) shapes floodplain management. NFIP participation requires elevation 1 ft above BFE and floodproofing.
The City of St. Louis participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and adopts floodplain management standards under Revised Code Chapter 25.56. Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA, Zones A and AE) follow the Mississippi River waterfront (levee-protected downtown but not all areas), the Missouri River along the north city boundary, and River des Peres cutting through south city. Flood of record includes the 1993 Great Flood (Mississippi crested at 49.58 ft in St. Louis) and recent events in 2015 and 2022. New construction in SFHA must have lowest floor elevated at least 1 ft above Base Flood Elevation (freeboard). Substantial improvements over 50% of market value trigger full compliance. Federally backed mortgages in SFHA require flood insurance. Levee districts (Earth City, Chesterfield) adjacent to the city protect specific areas but residual risk remains.
Unpermitted floodplain construction: stop-work, $500+ per day fines, loss of NFIP eligibility, mandatory removal of non-compliant structures.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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