Flood Information

Notes about New Construction or Substantial Improvements

Important: Any alteration to your building, structure or land requires a permit from the Community Development Department prior to the work being started. Please contact the Department if you have questions regarding the permit process, or whether an individual contractor is licensed to perform work within our City.

New buildings in the City must be protected from flood damage. Our building code requires that new residential buildings must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation. New commercial buildings must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation. The ordinance also requires that all substantially improved buildings be treated as a new building. A substantial improvement is when the value of an addition, alteration, repair or reconstruction project equals or exceeds 50% of the value of the existing building.

For example, if a house is flooded, has a fire, is hit by a tornado, or is otherwise damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 50% of the value of the building before the damage, the house must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation.

These regulations are designed to protect you and your neighbors. By keeping the drainage systems clear and getting the proper permits before you build, we can prevent flooding and other drainage problems.