Jackson, MS Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)
Key Facts
- Lowest floor reference
- Centerline of designated street
- Horizontal additions
- Lowest floor + HVAC to base flood elevation
- Shallow flood zones
- 3'6" above grade, or depth+2 ft
- Certification required
- FEMA elevation certificate, Form 81-31
- Amended
- Ord. No. 2025-36(6), Oct. 7, 2025
Summary
New buildings and substantial improvements in Jackson, whether inside or outside the mapped flood hazard area, must set the lowest floor at the elevation of the designated street's centerline unless topography makes that impossible, and any new horizontal addition must elevate its lowest floor and HVAC to the regulatory base flood elevation. The floodplain administrator verifies the finished elevation with a FEMA certificate.
(13)New construction and substantial improvement of any building (both in and outside the SFHA) shall have the lowest floor at the centerline of the existing right-of-way line as determined by the floodplain administrator. (14)All new horizontal additions must have the lowest floor and all HVAC elevated to the regulatory base flood elevation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 62-41(13) sets a citywide elevation reference for the lowest floor of new construction and substantial improvements: the elevation of the centerline of the designated street, applying both inside and outside the special flood hazard area, unless the floodplain administrator determines the property's topography will not allow strict adherence. Sec. 62-41(14) adds that all new horizontal additions must have their lowest floor and all HVAC equipment elevated to the regulatory base flood elevation. The city verifies compliance through the permitting process in Sec. 62-32: before framing continues, the permit holder must submit a certification of the as-built lowest floor elevation, measured in relation to mean sea level (NAVD or NGVD), prepared by a Mississippi-registered land surveyor or professional engineer; upon completion, a FEMA elevation certificate depicting all finished construction elevations goes to the floodplain administrator, and any floodproofing measure requires a FEMA floodproofing certificate as well.
In shallow flooding zones designated on the FIRM, Sec. 62-44 sets an alternative numeric floor: the lowest floor must sit at or above the highest adjacent grade, at least as high as the FIRM's stated flood depth number plus two feet, or, if no depth number is given, at least three feet six inches above the highest adjacent grade. These standards were most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2025-36(6) on October 7, 2025.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation, or failing to submit the as-built elevation certification before framing continues, is a Chapter 62 violation under Sec. 62-21: a misdemeanor carrying up to a $500.00 fine or 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. Uncertified work also risks a stop-work order under Sec. 62-32(2).
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must a new home's lowest floor sit in a Jackson flood zone?
What if the flood insurance rate map does not list a flood depth number?
What proof does Jackson require that a building was actually built to the required elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson
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