Certain areas of Lewisburg are subject to periodic flooding. These flood events can result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and government services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and disaster relief, and impairment of the local tax base. Collectively, these impacts threaten the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.
Flood losses are often intensified by development within floodplains. Obstructions placed in flood-prone areas can increase flood heights and velocities. Additionally, locating uses in vulnerable areas or constructing buildings that are not properly elevated or floodproofed increases the risk of damage.
Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 6 Chapter 58 Section 6-58-117 and Tennessee Code Annotated Title 13 Chapter 7 Sections 13-7-201 through 13-7-210, the Tennessee General Assembly requires local governments to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and delegates authority to adopt regulations that promote the public health, safety, and general welfare. The NFIP is authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq.) and is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In accordance with this authority, the City of Lewisburg has adopted floodplain management regulations. These regulations govern development within designated flood zones, including restrictions on construction, property improvements, excavation activities, and the placement of fill material.
What are Floodplains?
Floodplains are the areas of low-lying ground typically adjacent to a river or coast which are subject to flooding. We need floodplains because they’re necessary to store and convey floodwaters, maintain water quality, recharge groundwater aquifers, support populations of plants and animals, and provide benefits to communities.
FEMA studies and maps three primary categories of flood risk: riverine, coastal, and shallow. The City’s Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are based on riverine flooding and are delineated on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The Zones shown on the City’s FIRM subject to insurance implications and regulatory requirements, are:
- Zone A – High risk flood zones where Base Flood Elevations are NOT provied.
- Zone AE – High risk flood zones known as the base floodplain where Base Flood Elevations are provided.
- Zone X (shaded) – Area of moderate to low flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year (0.2% annual chance flood).
- Zone X (unshaded) – Area of moderate to low flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as above the 500-year flood level. Zone X is the area determined to be outside the 500-year flood.
Find Your Flood Map
FEMA Flood Map Service Center The official public source for flood hazard information in support of the NFIP. Go here to access FIRMs and Flood Insurance Studies (FIS), Letters of Map Changes (LOMCs), and historic products.
Floodplain Permitting Requirements
A Floodplain Development Permit is required prior to the issuance of a building permit or any other development activity in a lot or parcel located within a designated Flood Hazard Area. Application for a development permit shall be made to the Director of Planning and Codes on forms furnished by the Planning & Codes Department. Additional documents may be required, such as plans in duplicate drawn to scale, showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, earthen fill, storage of materials or equipment, drainage facilities. In some cases, before a Floodplain Development Permit can be issued a floodplain study and/or an Elevation Certificate may be required.
Most development in the Special Flood Hazard Area requires a Floodplain Development Permit. Types of development requiring a permit include:
- New residential construction or manufactured home installation.
- New commercial or industrial construction.
- Installation or replacement of electrical, gas, and heating and air appliances.
- Substantial improvement of an existing structure. Substantially improved residential structures must be elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Commercial property may be flood-proofed or elevated to the one foot above base flood elevation.
- Alterations to the natural terrain including filling or excavating and any modifications to drainage way or stream.
Please consult the Planning and Codes Department or the city’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for complete information regarding development in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Applications for a Floodplain Development Permit are located on the Applications page.
Improper or unpermitted development in the floodplain should be reported to the Planning and Codes Department immediately. Improper modifications or development in the floodplain may result in additional flooding hazards and property damage.
Elevation Certificate
An Elevation Certificate may be required prior to or during the construction stage. For all new construction and substantial improvements located within or in close proximity to a Flood Hazard Area, the permit holder shall provide to the Director of Planning and Codes an Elevation Certificate, possibly at various stages, of the regulatory floor elevation or flood-proofing level upon the completion of the lowest floor in accordance with the City’s floodplain regulations or flood-proofing.