Brevard County, FL Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)
Key Facts
- Interior lot, Type A drainage
- 24 in. above street crown
- Interior lot, Type B drainage
- 18 in. above street crown
- FEMA special flood hazard area
- 12 in. above base flood elevation
- Before certificate of occupancy
- FEMA elevation certificate required
- Violation penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days jail
Summary
Homes built in unincorporated Brevard County must sit above the street or, in FEMA flood zones, at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation before the county issues a certificate of occupancy.
All habitable structures located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated special flood hazard area shall have the lowest floor, including the floor of an attached garage and all appurtenant building equipment, elevated a minimum of 12 inches above the 100-year base flood elevation. All structures shall comply with all the standards set in chapter 62, article XI. For properties within special flood hazard areas adjacent to FEMA defined regulatory floodways, the lowest finished floor of all new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential and residential structures, including attached garages and basements if applicable, shall be elevated at least 12 inches above the floodway encroachment elevation for that regulatory floodway as established by FEMA and defined in the FEMA flood insurance study for the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22-48 sets minimum finish-floor elevations for new homes and additions in unincorporated Brevard. Interior lots with rear-to-front drainage need floors at least 24 inches above the street's crown; split-drainage lots need 18 inches; corner lots need 24 inches. In a FEMA special flood hazard area, the lowest floor -- including an attached garage and building equipment -- must sit at least 12 inches above the 100-year base flood elevation, and near a regulatory floodway at least 12 inches above the floodway encroachment elevation. Builders must submit a site drainage plan, a foundation survey, and a FEMA elevation certificate before the county issues a certificate of occupancy.
Violations & Fines
Violating this article is punishable under Sec. 22-51 by a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in county jail, or both, or prosecution before the code enforcement special master.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to homes in Melbourne or Palm Bay?
What if my lot's shape makes the standard elevation impossible?
Where do the FEMA flood zone standards come from?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
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