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Dale County adopts Floodplain Development Ordinance to meet federal NFIP standards
Summary
The Dale County Commission unanimously adopted a comprehensive Floodplain Development Ordinance on Dec. 9, 2025 that designates the EMA Director as Floodplain Administrator, adopts technical standards (BFEs, floodways, manufactured-home rules), and aligns county rules with 44 C.F.R. §60.3 to maintain access to NFIP flood insurance.
The Dale County Commission adopted a new Floodplain Development Ordinance during its Dec. 9, 2025 meeting, voting unanimously to approve the measure presented by the county's Emergency Management Agency manager.
The ordinance—prepared by Willie T. Worsham, Dale County Emergency Manager—designates the Dale County EMA Director as the county's Floodplain Administrator and adopts floodplain management standards that meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 C.F.R. §60.3. Commissioner Adam Enfinger moved for adoption; Commissioner Donald O. Grantham seconded. All members present voted aye.
Why it matters: By adopting the ordinance, Dale County preserves its eligibility for NFIP flood insurance and sets local requirements for development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), including: mandatory Floodplain Development Permits; elevation or floodproofing requirements for new and substantially improved buildings (residential and non-residential); technical standards for floodways, BFEs, manufactured homes, accessory and agricultural structures; variance and appeal procedures; and enforcement penalties. The ordinance includes a requirement that new construction and substantial improvements in designated AE/A zones be elevated at least one foot above base flood elevations or be floodproofed to that level for non-residential buildings.
Key provisions: The ordinance requires Floodplain Development Permits prior to any development in SFHAs; sets procedures for application, inspection, and as-built elevation certification; requires professional-engineer certification for certain floodproofing and foundation designs; establishes floodway no-rise requirements; and prescribes Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage review procedures. It also specifies civil penalties, stop-work orders, and administrative appeals handled by the county's Appeals Board.
What the county did in this meeting: The commission voted to adopt the text that appears in Exhibit 2 (filed with meeting materials), which lists an effective date of Dec. 9, 2025. The ordinance authorizes the Floodplain Administrator to notify adjacent communities and relevant state and federal agencies before any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and directs submission of required engineering and mapping updates to FEMA when changes occur.
Next steps and implementation: The ordinance directs the Floodplain Administrator to retain records in perpetuity, perform required inspections and Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement determinations, and to coordinate any Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) or other FEMA map changes as needed. The county announced the ordinance's adoption; no further public hearing or additional vote on this ordinance was recorded in the minutes.
Source: Dale County Commission meeting minutes and Exhibit 2 (adopted Dec. 9, 2025).
