Lincoln County, NC Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation
- BFE plus two feet of freeboard
- No established BFE
- at least two feet above highest adjacent grade
- Residential structures
- reference level at or above that elevation
- Nonresidential option
- floodproof with PE/architect certification instead
- Manufactured homes
- reference level no lower than that elevation
- Small accessory structures
- under 150 sq ft exempt from elevation certificate
- Enforcement
- Floodplain Administrator; penalties under UDO § 11.2
Summary
In unincorporated Lincoln County, new and substantially improved residential structures, including manufactured homes, must have their lowest floor built no lower than the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation, the FEMA Base Flood Elevation plus two feet of freeboard, or two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE has been set. The Floodplain Administrator enforces Chapter 151, with penalties set in UDO § 11.2.
REGULATORY FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION. ... The Base Flood Elevation plus the freeboard. ... In Special Flood Hazard Areas, where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been determined, this elevation shall be the BFE plus two feet of freeboard. In Special Flood Hazard Areas where no BFE has been established, this elevation shall be at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade. ... (1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 151.05. ... (C) Penalty. Any person found to be in violation of this subchapter shall be subject to the penalties as provided in UDO § 11.2.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 151, Flood Damage Prevention, sets the elevation floor for building in a Special Flood Hazard Area. 05 the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation is the Base Flood Elevation plus two feet of freeboard where a BFE has been determined, or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade where no BFE exists. 56(B)(1) requires that new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure, including manufactured homes, have the reference level, including any basement, elevated no lower than that Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation. 41(C).
Manufactured homes must be elevated so the reference level meets the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation and securely anchored; if the chassis elevation exceeds 36 inches, an engineering certification is required. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor cannot be used for habitation and must include flood openings in A, AO, AE, and A1-30 zones sized at one square inch per square foot of enclosed area. 41(C).
Violations & Fines
Section 151.56(C) states that any person found in violation of this subchapter is subject to the penalties provided in UDO § 11.2. Noncompliant structures must be brought into compliance with state and community floodplain management regulations, or, where that is not possible, the impact of the noncompliance must be reduced. The Floodplain Administrator reviews elevation and floodproofing certifications before a floodplain development permit is finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high above flood level must a new house be built in unincorporated Lincoln County?
What is the elevation requirement where no Base Flood Elevation has been set?
Can a business building be floodproofed instead of elevated?
Do sheds and other small accessory buildings need an elevation certificate?
What happens if a structure is built below the required elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln County
Compare Lincoln County to another location·View the North Carolina hurricane preparedness overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.