Port St. Lucie, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone A/AE accessory cap
- 600 sq. ft., one story, below BFE
- Zone V/VE accessory cap
- 100 sq. ft., not below elevated home
- Utilities elevation
- BFE plus 1 foot or higher
- Design flood elevation default
- Set via FBC § 1612.3.1
- Base flood elevation defined at
- Sec. 152.09
Summary
Port St. Lucie requires buildings and accessory structures in flood hazard areas to meet elevation standards tied to the base flood elevation. An accessory structure used only for parking or storage may sit below that elevation only if it meets strict size, venting, and construction limits under Sec. 152.10(c) of the Floodplain Management Regulations.
(c)Accessory structures. Accessory structures are permitted below the base flood elevation provided the accessory structures are used only for parking or storage and:(1)If located in special flood hazard areas (Zone A/AE) other than coastal high hazard areas, are one-story and not larger than 600 sq. ft. and have flood openings in accordance with Section R322.2 of the Florida Building Code, Residential.(2)If located in coastal high hazard areas (Zone V/VE), are not located below elevated buildings and are not larger than 100 sq. ft.(3)Are anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from flood loads.(4)Have flood damage-resistant materials used below the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.(5)Have mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10 of the Floodplain Management Regulations sets flood-elevation-based design standards for buildings and structures exempt from the Florida Building Code. Under Sec. 2; in a coastal high hazard area (Zone V/VE) it cannot sit below an elevated building and cannot exceed 100 square feet; it must be anchored against flotation, collapse, or lateral movement from flood loads; it must use flood damage-resistant materials below the base flood elevation plus one foot; and its mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, including fixtures, must sit at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot.
Base flood elevation is defined at Sec. 09 as the elevation of the base flood, including wave height, relative to the datum shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Where a design flood elevation is not otherwise specified, the city's locally adopted Florida Building Code amendment at Sec. 1 of the Florida Building Code. 6.
Violations & Fines
A building or structure lacking documentation of the elevation of its lowest floor, required design certifications, or other proof of compliance is presumed to violate the Floodplain Management Regulations until that documentation is provided (Sec. 152.07(a)). The Floodplain Administrator can serve a notice of violation or stop-work order, and work continued after that notice draws penalties prescribed by law (Sec. 152.07(b)-(c)). Building below the required elevation also raises federal flood insurance costs, up to $25 per $100 of coverage, under Sec. 152.06(h)(4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a shed below the base flood elevation in Port St. Lucie?
What is the base flood elevation and who sets it for my lot?
What happens if my utilities sit below the required flood elevation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port St. Lucie
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