Margate, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family and duplex
- 18 inches above highest abutting road crown, or SFWMD level if higher
- Other structures, low road
- 6 inches above highest road crown
- Zones covered
- AH, AO, AE and X
- Accessory structure limit
- One story, 600 square feet, parking or storage only
- Flood map
- Community Number 120047, dated August 18, 2014
- Insurance notice
- Up to $25 per $100 coverage cited in variance notice
Summary
In the City of Margate, a single-family or duplex home must have its lowest floor at the South Florida Water Management District permitted finished floor elevation and at least 18 inches above the highest crown of the abutting street, or at the Florida Building Code level, whichever is higher. Other structures follow a 6 inch road-crown rule. See Margate Code § 17-10(2).
(2)[Basic requirements.] The basic requirements for minimum elevations in all areas of the City of Margate, including zones AH, AO, AE and X, are hereby established as follows:(a)Single-family and duplex residential structures must be constructed so that the lowest floor is located no lower than the minimum finished floor elevation permitted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and at least eighteen (18) inches above the highest crown of the street or road abutting the structure, or in accordance with the Florida Building Code. Whichever measurement results in a higher elevation shall be applicable. ... (c)For any structures other than single-family and duplex residential, where the crown of the abutting road is below the minimum finished floor elevation permitted by the SFWMD, the lowest floor shall be no lower than the SFWMD permitted elevation and at least six (6) inches above the highest crown of the abutting road or in accordance with Florida Building Code. Whichever measurement results in a higher finished floor elevation shall be applicable.
Full Breakdown
Margate sets minimum floor elevations in § 17-10(2). Section 11-3 points to that section, and § 11-6(b) requires building floors to be consistent with it. The standards apply in all areas of the city, including zones AH, AO, AE and X, so a lot outside the mapped special flood hazard area is not exempt.
For single-family and duplex structures, the lowest floor must be no lower than the minimum finished floor elevation permitted by the SFWMD and at least eighteen inches above the highest crown of the abutting street or road, or in accordance with the Florida Building Code, and whichever measurement gives the higher elevation controls. Every other structure is tested against the road. Where the highest crown of the abutting road is at or above the SFWMD elevation, the lowest floor must be no lower than the SFWMD or Florida Building Code elevation, and a positive drainage system approved by the city engineer must be built. Where the crown is below the SFWMD elevation, the lowest floor must be at the SFWMD elevation and at least six inches above the highest road crown.
For a structure that abuts a road or roads, § 17-10(2)(d) applies the highest elevation of any abutting road, and for a road with an inverted crown the highest elevation of the abutting road applies. The minimum finished floor elevation must be furnished with each subdivision plat and site development plan reviewed by the development review committee.
Accessory structures are permitted below base flood elevation only for parking or storage and only if they are one story, no larger than 600 square feet, have flood openings under Section R322.2 of the Florida Building Code, Residential, are anchored against flotation, collapse and lateral movement, use flood damage-resistant materials below base flood elevation plus one foot, and keep mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems at or above base flood elevation plus one foot.
The flood insurance rate map adopted in § 11-4(b) is Community Number 120047, dated August 18, 2014.
Violations & Fines
Under § 17-8(1), a building or structure without documentation of the lowest floor elevation, or without other required design certifications, is presumed to be a violation until the documentation is provided. The floodplain administrator can serve a notice of violation or stop work order, and corrective action is due within ten business days of receipt. A variance below the required elevation needs a recorded statement and a written notice about higher federal flood insurance costs under § 17-7(7).
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must the floor of a new single-family home in Margate be?
Does a lot in Zone X still need an elevation check?
What is the rule for a commercial or multifamily building?
Can a garage or shed sit below base flood elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Margate
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Margate to another location·View the Florida hurricane preparedness overview
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How other cities in Broward County handle flood elevation.