Elevation

Definition/Description
NFIP Requirement
Guidance
Related Keywords
Special Topic Resources

Definition/Description

Communities must require that all new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures within Zones A1-30, AE and AH Zones on the community''s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the Base Flood Eelevation (BFE). Common elevation techniques include elevation on file, elevation on piles, piers or columns, and elevation on extended foundation walls such as on a crawl space.

In areas designated as Zone A, the community must obtain, review, and reasonably utilize BFE data available from a Federal, State, or other source and use these data as criteria for requiring that new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the BFE.

All new construction and substantial improvement in Zones V1-30, VE, and also Zone V (if BFE data is available), 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 elevated to or above the BFE.

For residential structures in AO Zones, the lowest floor (including basement) must be elevated at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the community''s map, or at least two feet if no number is specified.