Vermilion Parish, LA Hurricane Preparedness: Flood Elevation (2026)

Sec. 22-71 of the Vermilion Parish Code adds a tougher layer for coastal high hazard areas, the V1-30, VE and V zones on the FIRM. The code ties them to "high velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave wash," and the rules apply on top of every other standard in Chapter 22.

Foundation and location come first. All new construction must be located landward of the reach of mean high tide. All new construction and substantial improvements must be elevated on pilings and columns so that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor, excluding the pilings or columns, is at or above the base flood level. The pile or column foundation and the structure attached to it must resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement from wind and water loads acting simultaneously, using base flood water loading values and the wind loading required by applicable state or local building standards. A registered professional engineer or architect develops or reviews the structural design and certifies it.

The code also bars fill from supporting buildings and prohibits manmade alteration of sand dunes and mangrove stands that increase potential flood damage. The floodplain administrator records the elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor, whether or not the structure contains a basement.

Space below the lowest floor must be free of obstruction or built with non-supporting breakaway walls, open wood latticework or insect screening. A breakaway wall has a design safe loading resistance of not less than ten and no more than 20 pounds per square foot. A stronger wall is allowed only if an engineer or architect certifies it will collapse under a water load less than the base flood's without damaging the elevated building or foundation. The enclosed space is usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, and never for human habitation.

Manufactured homes in V zones meet the same standards, and recreational vehicles must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the permit and elevation requirements.