Lowest Floor

Definition/Description
NFIP Requirement
Other Applicable NFIP Regulations
Guidance
Related Keywords

Definition/Description

The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not considered a building's lowest floor; Provided, that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of Sec. 60.3.
Communities are required to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures.

All new and substantially improved structures must have the lowest floor elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Non-residential buildings may be floodproofed below the BFE.

NFIP Requirement

Other Applicable NFIP Regulations

60.3 - Floodplain management criteria for floodprone areas
- (c) (2) - Zone A Residential Buildings
- (c) (3) - Zone A Nonresidential Buildings
- (c) (5) - Openings
- (c) (6) - Manufactured Homes
- (c) (7) - Zone AO Residential Buildings
- (c) (8) - Zone AO Nonresidential Buildings
- (c) (12) - Manufactured Homes

Guidance

IS-9 Managing Floodplain Development Through The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Page 5-29

Related Keywords

Elevation
Elevation Certificate
Enclosure
Flood-Resistant Material
Lowest Horizontal Structural Member
Permit for Floodplain Development

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Feb-2007 22:21:35 EST