Interpretation #9157

Published October 01, 2025

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Original Request

Code Version
2023
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Chapter
16
Section
1612.5
Topic
flood hazard documentation

Question

Please define "other than" as it relates to the SFHA. Does this include Site Plans for New Construction within the SFHA including AE Zones?

Answer Published 09/27/2025 at 5:09 PM

Flood Hazard Area is the Special Flood Hazard Area on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (unless the community also adopts and regulates a different map). The terms “coastal high hazard area” (CHHA) and “Coastal A Zone” (CAZ) are defined in Sec. 202. Flood hazard areas other than CHHA and CAZ means Zone A/AE, and in coastal communities it means Zone A/AE that is inland of the Zone V boundary or inland of the Limit of Moderate Wave Action, if there is one. Now look at 1612.5 #2, which applies in CHHA and CAZ; that means #1 applies in in all flood hazard areas mapped for inland communities, and in coastal communities it means flood hazard areas that are inland of the CHHA or CAZ, if there is one.
FDEM compiles the flood provisions and posts them, and FEMA's Highlights of ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction here: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/floodplain/community-resources/

Commentary

None.