Irondequoit, NY Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Section 136-18 of the Town of Irondequoit Code is the coastal counterpart to § 136-17. It covers residential construction and substantial improvements in the areas of special flood hazard shown as Zones V1-V30, VE, V or Coastal A on the Flood Insurance Rate Map named in § 136-6, and it stacks on top of § 136-15A, § 136-15B and the standards for all structures in § 136-16.

The elevation rule measures to the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member that supports the lowest elevated floor, ignoring columns, piles, bracing, grade beams, pile caps and members built to break away. Structural design must consider wind and water loads acting simultaneously during the base flood. Spread footings and fill material cannot provide structural support for a new building or a substantial improvement.

The piling rules are specific. The design ratio of pile spacing to pile diameter cannot be less than 8:1 for individual piles, and wood piles sit no more than 12 feet on center under load-bearing sills, beams or girders. Minimum penetration is an elevation of five feet below mean sea level if the base flood elevation is +10 msl or less, and at least 10 feet below msl if it is greater. Round timber piles need an eight-inch tip diameter, and reinforced concrete piles need 28-day compressive strength of not less than 5,000 pounds per square inch. Toe nailing as a principal connection method is not permitted.

The permit side sits in Article IV. Section 136-13 requires certified designs for any breakaway wall with design strength in excess of 20 pounds per square foot, and § 136-14D(2) requires a certificate of elevation for the bottom of the lowest structural member once the lowest floor is placed. Work that proceeds before the certificate is approved is at the permit holder's risk.