Harnett County, NC Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

024 defines the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation (RFPE) as the elevation to which the reference level of structures in special flood hazard areas must be protected: where base flood elevations (BFEs) have been determined, RFPE is the BFE plus two feet of freeboard, and where no BFE has been established, it is at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade. 248(B) applies that standard to new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, which must have the reference level (including any basement) elevated no lower than the RFPE.

Nonresidential structures must meet the same elevation, or may be floodproofed to the RFPE instead in A, AO, AE, and A1-30 zones if a licensed engineer or architect certifies the structure is watertight and can resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads. New or replacement manufactured homes must have their reference level elevated to the RFPE and be anchored per the state's Regulations for Manufactured/Mobile Homes; if the chassis elevation exceeds 36 inches above grade, an engineering certification is required. Enclosed areas below the RFPE in elevated buildings cannot be used for human habitation, must be built of flood-resistant materials, and in A, AO, AE, and A1-30 zones need at least two openings on different walls sized to one square inch of net opening per square foot of enclosed area, with the bottom of openings no higher than one foot above grade, so hydrostatic pressure equalizes automatically during flooding.