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Kings County · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Kings County

County rule: outside Zone AO, new or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas must be at or above base flood elevation. County rule: in Zone AO with no depth number on the flood map, homes must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.

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Key points

  • Flood zones: County rule: outside Zone AO, new or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas must be at or above base flood elevation.
  • Zone AO: County rule: in Zone AO with no depth number on the flood map, homes must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.

Each rule below links to the section of the Kings County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Kings County's code says

Kings County code What Kings County's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area.
    § 5A-20 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in section 5A-6.
Building in a floodway
  • Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments are banned unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood-level rise.
    Applies: In floodways.
    § 5A-33 · code text
    Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development are prohibited in Floodways unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect demonstrating that the encroachment(s) shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor
  • Lowest floor at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas other than Zone AO.
    § 5A-26 · code text
    New residential and nonresidential construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall comply with section 5A-22 (b) and have the lowest floor elevated at a minimum to or above the base flood elevation.
  • Lowest floor above the highest adjacent grade, or at least as high as the FIRM depth number.
    Applies: New or substantially improved structures in Zone AO.
    § 5A-26 · code text
    New construction and substantial improvement to any structure in Zone AO shall have the lowest floor elevated above the highest adjacent grade, or at least as high as the depth number specified on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM).
  • Lowest floor 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.
    Applies: New or substantially improved structures in Zone AO with no depth number on the FIRM.
    § 5A-26 · code text
    If there is no depth number on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM), the lowest floor or basement floor shall be elevated two feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Kings County flood zone?

County rule: outside Zone AO, new or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas must be at or above base flood elevation. County rule: in Zone AO with no depth number on the flood map, homes must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Kings County's building in a flood zone rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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More on building on your lot in Kings County

All building on your lot rules in Kings County

Kings County Municipal Code — full text