Asheville, NC Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Section 7-12-1(e)(1)o of the Code of Ordinances sets Asheville's Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, the RFPE, as the base flood elevation (BFE) plus a two-foot freeboard where a BFE has been determined by FEMA's Flood Insurance Study, or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE exists in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Section 7-12-1(e)(2)a then requires new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, to have its reference level, including any basement, elevated no lower than that RFPE.

Non-residential structures face the same elevation floor under 7-12-1(e)(2)b, though they may instead be flood-proofed to the RFPE if a registered professional engineer or architect certifies the structure meets the standard. Enclosed areas below the lowest floor of an elevated building cannot be used for human habitation under 7-12-1(e)(2)d and may only serve parking, building access, or limited storage. The Floodplain Administrator, working with the Building Official, reviews building permit applications to determine whether proposed work constitutes substantial improvement under 7-12-1(d)(4). Violations are enforced under 7-12-1(h) and (i): failing to obtain a required floodplain development permit or comply with an approved permit is a violation, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

00 per violation, with a table of per-day and maximum penalties keyed to the severity and duration of noncompliance, and can refer the matter for further enforcement action if the violator does not take corrective action.