New Rochelle, NY Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Chapter 111, Article IV of the New Rochelle Building Code, Flood Damage Prevention, applies to all areas of special flood hazard shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for Community Number 360922, effective September 28, 2007. Section 111-33B requires a floodplain development permit for any construction or development in those mapped zones, issued by the Building Official acting as Local Administrator, before any work may begin. Section 111-34C(1)(a) sets the core elevation standard: within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above two feet above the base flood level.

Where no base flood elevation data exist in Zone A, Section 111-34C(1)(b) instead requires the lowest floor at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. In the coastal high-hazard Zones V1-V30 and VE, Section 111-34D(1) requires the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member supporting the elevated floor to sit at or above two feet above base flood level on pilings, columns or shear walls, with the space below kept clear of habitable use. Applicants must submit as-built elevation certificates from a licensed engineer or surveyor once the lowest floor is placed, per Section 111-33D(1) and (2), before the Local Administrator will close out the permit. New utilities, electrical equipment and HVAC systems must also sit two feet above base flood elevation under Section 111-34B(3).