Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Vermilion Parish

Vermilion Parish, LA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Mapped basis: FEMA Flood Insurance Study and FIRMs dated January 19, 2011
Permit: Floodplain development permit required (Sec. 22-8)
Floodplain administrator: Parish administrator or designee
Variance board: Parish Police Jury acting as appeal board
Floodway: Encroachments prohibited without a no-increase analysis
Lowest permit fee: $15.00 for improvements costing $0.00 to $2,000.00
Penalty (Sec. 1-7): Fine up to $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both

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 Vermilion Parish, LA.

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 Vermilion Parish, LA on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Chapter 22 of the Vermilion Parish Code applies to all areas of special flood hazard in unincorporated Vermilion Parish, adopts the FEMA Flood Insurance Study and FIRMs dated January 19, 2011, and requires a floodplain development permit from the parish floodplain administrator before building or altering land.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Vermilion Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard with the jurisdiction of the parish. ... The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the current scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Vermilion Parish, Louisiana and Incorporated Areas," dated January 19, 2011, with accompanying FIRMs dated January 19, 2011, and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this article. ... A floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Chapter 22 of the Vermilion Parish Code is the parish's flood damage rule, and Sec. 22-6 applies it to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the parish. Sec. 22-1 defines an area of special flood hazard as land in the floodplain subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Sec. 22-7 adopts by reference the Federal Emergency Management Agency study titled "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Vermilion Parish, Louisiana and Incorporated Areas," dated January 19, 2011, with accompanying FIRMs of the same date and any revisions. The flood zone on a parcel is whatever those maps show. Abbeville, Kaplan and the other municipalities keep their own floodplain rules.

Building or altering anything in a mapped hazard area starts with a permit. Sec. 22-8 requires a floodplain development permit, and Sec. 22-43 appoints the parish administrator or designee as floodplain administrator. Under Sec. 22-45, the application goes to the administrator on the administrator's forms, with plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing dimensions, elevations and the location relative to the area of special flood hazard, plus the elevation of the lowest floor in relation to mean sea level. Approval or denial rests on nine factors, among them the danger to life and property from flooding or erosion, the safety of access in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles, and the expected heights, velocity and duration of floodwaters. Sec. 22-73 sets permit fees by the cost of the improvement, starting at $15.00 for work costing $0.00 to $2,000.00.

Floodways carry the hardest line. Sec. 22-70 prohibits encroachments, including fill, new construction and substantial improvements, in the adopted regulatory floodway unless hydrologic and hydraulic analyses show no increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge. Sec. 22-46 makes the Police Jury the appeal board for variances. It cannot issue a variance in a designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result, and a person aggrieved by its decision can appeal to the courts of competent jurisdiction. Sec. 22-1 was last amended September 17, 2025.

Violations & Fines

Sec. 22-72 makes noncompliance a misdemeanor punished as provided in Sec. 1-7: a fine not exceeding $500.00, imprisonment in the parish jail for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both. Each day the violation continues is a new violation, and the violator pays all costs and expenses of the case. Under Sec. 22-1, a structure without a required elevation certificate or other compliance evidence is presumed in violation until that documentation is provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flood maps does unincorporated Vermilion Parish use?

Sec. 22-7 adopts the areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Flood Insurance Study for Vermilion Parish, Louisiana and Incorporated Areas, dated January 19, 2011, with accompanying FIRMs dated January 19, 2011, and any revisions to them. Those maps are the basis for every flood rule in Chapter 22.

Do I need a permit to build in a flood zone here?

Yes. Sec. 22-8 requires a floodplain development permit, applied for with the floodplain administrator under Sec. 22-45. The application shows plans, the lowest floor elevation in relation to mean sea level, and any change to a watercourse or natural drainage. Sec. 22-9 adds that no structure or land can be located, altered or have its use changed without full compliance.

Who decides a flood variance request?

Sec. 22-46 makes the parish Police Jury the appeal board for variances. A variance requires a showing of good and sufficient cause and exceptional hardship, must be the minimum necessary, and cannot increase flood heights or public expense. The applicant gets written notice that flood insurance cost will be commensurate with the increased risk when the lowest floor sits below base flood elevation.

Can I put fill or a new building in the regulatory floodway?

Only if hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed under standard engineering practice show the encroachment would not increase flood levels anywhere in the community during the base flood discharge. Sec. 22-70 prohibits encroachments, including fill, new construction and substantial improvements, unless that showing is made. The Police Jury cannot grant a variance in a designated floodway if flood levels would rise.

Sources & Official References

[1]Vermilion Parish Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 Floods (Municode)

Other rules in Vermilion Parish

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions

All Vermilion Parish rules

Compare Vermilion Parish to another location·View the Louisiana environmental rules overview

See something wrong?

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