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Lake County · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Lake County

Lake County's own rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Lake County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Lake County's code says

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
Building in a floodway
  • No fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development unless analyses show no flood level increase.
    Applies: In the adopted regulatory floodway; hydrologic and hydraulic analyses must cover the base flood discharge.
    § 5.6 · code text
    Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The FIRM depth number plus at least 1 foot.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone; measured above the highest adjacent grade or nearest downstream road, whichever is higher.
    § 5.1 · code text
    In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade, or nearest downstream road, whichever is higher, to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot.
  • At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone; the Floodplain Administrator sets the base flood elevation.
    § 5.1 · code text
    In an A zone, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, as determined by the Floodplain Administrator.
  • At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all flood zones other than A and AO.
    § 5.1 · code text
    In all other zones, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Lake County flood zone?

Lake County's code: The FIRM depth number plus at least 1 foot. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone; measured above the highest adjacent grade or nearest downstream road, whichever is higher.) (§ 5.1); At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone; the Floodplain Administrator sets the base flood elevation.) (§ 5.1).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Lake County's building in a flood zone rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Lake County Municipal Code — full text