Floodplain Management

Overview

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements

St Johns County Land Development Code & Florida Building Code regulations apply to all development that is wholly within or partially within any Special Flood Hazard Areas (including Flood Zones A, AE, AH, AO & VE). New construction, Substantial Improvements to existing buildings, and repairs to Substantially Damaged buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Area will need to adhere to these requirements.

Substantial Improvement

Means repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition or other improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed.

Substantial Damage

Means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

For more information on floodplain development requirements and substantial improvement/substantial damage, please contact our Floodplain Management Team.

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements

Any development in the floodplain requires a construction permit. If you suspect that illegal floodplain development is occurring call the St. Johns County Code Enforcement at (904) 209-0675 (Option 6).

Learn How to Protect Family & Property from Flood Risk

St. Johns County has actively pursued financial assistance from FEMA to support individual mitigation projects. These projects include elevation and reconstruction strategies tailored to your property’s location. Participating in these initiatives can reduce flood impact and potentially lower your flood insurance premiums. Federal dollars can be used to fund your project.

Grant Questions

For inquiries regarding grant questions to federally fund mitigation of your property, or if interested in participating in a grant application, contact:

Zach Gibbons, Quality Engineering & Surveying, LLC
337-256-7763
grants@qesla.com

To qualify for federal or state mitigation grants, your property must have a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy.

Learn More

St. Johns County Floodplain Management provides a self-guided virtual workshop to help keep you and your property safe from flooding. For more information, please contact Floodplain Management Team at (904) 827-6800 (option 6).

Flood Facts Brochure