Monroe County Floodplain Building Requirements

• •Structures built after December 31, 1974, must have the lowest floor elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
• •The '50 Percent Rule' requires that any improvement or repair costing 50% or more of a structure's market value must meet current flood-resistant construction standards.
• •Enclosures below the BFE are restricted to building access, parking, and limited storage (e.g., lawnmowers); household items like freezers or furniture are prohibited.
• •Coastal A Zones (CAZ) now require design standards similar to Zone V, with specific exceptions for backfilled stemwalls and non-residential dry floodproofing.
• •Minimum elevation for the lowest floor in Zone A is BFE + 1 foot.
• •Minimum elevation for the lowest horizontal structural member in Zone V and CAZ is BFE + 1 foot.
• •Substantial damage is defined as the cost to restore a structure to its pre-damage condition exceeding 50% of its market value, including labor costs.
• •Property owners are responsible for the cost of bringing non-permitted enclosures or structures into compliance.
• •Elevation certificates are required to accurately rate a property's flood risk for insurance purposes.
• •All walls in flood-prone areas must have flood openings, including breakaway walls.

Property owners in Monroe County must comply with these flood standards to avoid enforcement actions, ensure insurability, and prevent significant repair costs if their property is damaged or requires major renovations.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.