Tallahassee, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 6 of the Land Development Code applies to "all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the city" (§ 6-7), based on the FEMA flood insurance study for the city dated March 16, 2005, and its accompanying flood insurance rate maps (§ 6-11). The building official administers the chapter (§ 6-31), verifying that permit requirements are satisfied, recording the elevation of the lowest floor of new or substantially improved structures, and interpreting disputed flood-hazard boundaries. Under § 6-32, an applicant must submit plans showing elevations, proposed structures, fill, and drainage facilities at the application stage, then have a registered surveyor or engineer certify the as-built lowest-floor elevation at the framing inspection and again at final completion; failing to submit either certification, or failing to correct deficiencies the building official flags, is cause for a stop-work order.

Subdivision and manufactured-home-park proposals larger than the lesser of 50 lots or five acres must supply base flood elevation data under § 6-61(11). Anyone who disagrees with a boundary interpretation, or wants relief from the chapter's standards, can seek a variance from the Environmental Board under § 6-33, which weighs flood danger, life-safety, and whether the site truly needs a waterfront location, and which requires mailed notice to owners within 1,000 feet plus two newspaper publications before the hearing.