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Lexington County, SC Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

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

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

Key Facts

Permit authority: Lexington County Floodplain Manager
Applies to: Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
Violation: Misdemeanor, per-day offense
Manufactured homes: Lowest floor 2 ft above base flood elevation
Maps adopted: FEMA Flood Insurance Study, July 5, 2018

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 Lexington County, SC.

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 Lexington County, SC on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Lexington County requires a floodplain permit, reviewed by the County Floodplain Manager, before any development begins in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area.

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

For development, that does not fall under the parameters of a building permit a floodplain permit with review and approval by the Lexington County Floodplain Manager, shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance and the Lexington County Land Development Manual (LDM) prior to the commencement of any development activities in areas of special flood hazard.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20).

Full Breakdown

Any development in Lexington County's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, building, filling, grading, or other land-disturbing work, needs sign-off before work starts. Projects that already need a building permit get floodplain review folded into that process; everything else requires a standalone floodplain permit issued by the County Floodplain Manager under the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and the county's Land Development Manual. The Manager checks site plans, base flood elevations, and floodway data before signing off. Skipping the permit is a misdemeanor, and after other penalties are exhausted the county can ask FEMA to deny National Flood Insurance Program coverage on the structure.

Violations & Fines

Developing in the Special Flood Hazard Area without an approved building or floodplain permit is a misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense; the county can also seek FEMA denial of flood insurance on the structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a Lexington County flood zone?

Yes. Any development in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area needs either a building permit reviewed by the Floodplain Manager or a standalone floodplain permit before work starts.

What happens if I skip the floodplain permit?

It's a misdemeanor, with each day of violation counted separately, and the county can ask FEMA to deny flood insurance on the structure until it's fixed.

Sources & Official References

[1]Lexington County, SC Code of Ordinances — Ch. 31, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

Other rules in Lexington County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSignificant Restrictions Erosion ControlSignificant Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions

All Lexington County rules

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