Frequently Asked Questions

No. The building height exemption was added to the existing ordinance, but didn’t change other provisions already in the ordinance. Thus, the building size limitations - which governs how tall the physical size of a building may be - remain the same.

A building may be elevated the distance from the ground elevation to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), plus up to four additional feet.

The BFEs are minimum expected flood levels. Deeper flood levels are possible. Additionally, there are substantial flood insurance discounts for every additional foot above BFE (known as freeboard) is up to a maximum four feet.

Note: The current building code requires new and Substantially Improved buildings be elevated to BFE plus one-foot. This height is referred to as the Design Flood Elevation (DFE). By default, these buildings end up having a minimum one-foot of freeboard.

No. The exception only approved a maximum first floor height of 4 feet above the flood level. No City official, board or commission has the authority to allow this to be exceeded. Only another public referendum could change this limitation.

The purpose of the referendum was to aid in raising buildings above flood levels, not to permit the construction of larger structures. 

Building height is measured from the crown of the road.