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Lauderdale County adopts sweeping flood-damage prevention amendment to zoning rules
Summary
The Lauderdale County Commission approved Resolution No. 3-25-1 to amend the county regional zoning resolution with updated floodplain definitions, building and permitting standards, and FEMA map references to retain eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Lauderdale County commissioners on March 10 approved Resolution No. 3-25-1, a comprehensive amendment to the county's regional zoning resolution that updates floodplain definitions, construction standards and permitting procedures to align with Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements and maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The resolution, introduced and moved for approval by Commissioner Jeff Henson and seconded by Commissioner Kaye Jordon, replaces Chapter 5 of the zoning resolution with detailed definitions (including "Base Flood," "Floodway," "Lowest Floor" and others), prescriptive building standards for residential and nonresidential structures, manufactured home rules, and administrative procedures for elevation certification and Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) coordination with FEMA. The measure was adopted by voice vote.
County language cites Tennessee statutory authority in Sections 13-7-101 through 13-7-115, Tennessee Code Annotated, and references Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 60.3, as the regulatory standard the county must meet to participate in the NFIP. The resolution also adopts by reference a set of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel numbers dated Sept. 28, 2007.
The new rules require development permits for work in flood-prone areas, certify that elevated or floodproofed buildings must be documented by Tennessee-registered professionals, and mandate that final "Finished Construction Elevation Certificates" be filed before certificates of occupancy are issued. The resolution includes provisions on variances, penalties for noncompliance, and procedures for when Base Flood Elevation (BFE) data are not available.
County officials said the update is intended to reduce flood risk to life and property, minimize public expenditures for flood control, and assure that Lauderdale County remains eligible for federal flood insurance and related assistance. The commission approved the resolution during the regular meeting following an executive session on unrelated enforcement matters.
The commission did not record a roll-call tally for the resolution; the item passed on voice vote. The resolution text adopted technical definitions, standards for new construction and substantial improvements, and detailed administration steps for elevation certification and FEMA coordination.
