Greenville, NC Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Greenville's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance, City Code Chapter 9-6, sets the regulatory flood protection elevation (RFPE) that every structure in a mapped special flood hazard area must meet. Under Section 9-6-2, where FEMA has published a base flood elevation (BFE) on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, the RFPE is the BFE plus two feet of freeboard; where no BFE has been set, the RFPE is at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade. Section 9-6-5(B)(1) applies that standard to residential construction: new construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, must have its reference level, including any basement, elevated no lower than the RFPE, and electrical, heating, plumbing and duct systems must sit at or above that same line unless designed to resist flood loads without water intrusion.

The City Engineer, acting as Local Floodplain Administrator under Section 9-6-4(A), reviews floodplain development permit applications and requires an elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) or floodproofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) within 21 calendar days after the reference level is established, followed by a final as-built certificate before the city will issue a certificate of compliance or occupancy. Nonresidential structures may floodproof instead of elevate if a registered engineer or architect certifies the design meets Section 9-6-5(B)(2). Manufactured homes must also be anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement, and homes in an existing manufactured home park need the lowest floor at or above the RFPE under Section 9-6-5(B)(3). Variances from the elevation requirement go through the Local Floodplain Administrator and must meet the hardship and public-safety findings in Section 9-6-4.