Mount Pleasant, SC Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

26 of the Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinances governs coastal high hazard areas (VE Zones) and Coastal A Zones, the parts of the flood hazard area exposed to wave wash during a hurricane's storm surge. New construction and substantial improvements there must sit landward of the mean high tide line and the first line of stable natural vegetation, and comply with the state DHEC Ocean and Coastal Resource Management setback rules. Buildings must be elevated on piers, piles or another open foundation system so the bottom of the lowest supporting horizontal member sits no lower than the design flood elevation, anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement from wind and water loads acting simultaneously, engineered to the 100-year storm's loading values under the adopted International Building or Residential Code.

Fill cannot be used as structural support; only non-compacted landscaping fill is allowed, and only if an engineer, architect or soil scientist shows it will wash out under storm surge rather than deflect waves onto neighboring property. The space below the lowest floor must stay open or use breakaway panels no thicker than one inch, at least 40% open, designed to collapse under 10 to 20 pounds per square foot of load without damaging the elevated structure above.