Standards for streams without FIA established base flood elevations and/or floodways (A zones).
Huntsville Code of Ordinances, App. A, art. 62, § 62.10
in effect62.10. - Standards for streams without FIA established base flood elevations and/or floodways (A zones).
Within the flood hazard district where streams exist but no base flood data have been provided or where base flood data have been provided but a floodway has not been delineated, the following provisions shall apply:
62.10.1. The following provisions shall apply when streams exist but where base flood data and floodway data are not available:
(1) A registered engineer shall submit sufficient engineering data to the city engineer showing base flood discharges, base flood elevations, and floodway data along the stream channel. The city engineer shall request as much information as deemed necessary to determine and set base flood elevations, floodway widths and regulatory minimum finish floor elevations along the stream channel.
(2) Minimum finished floor requirements. New construction of or substantial improvements to structures shall be elevated or floodproofed to meet the requirements of section 62.7 based on the established regulatory flood elevations set by the city engineer as determined in section 62.10.1(1) above.
(3) Floodway district. Section 62.6 shall apply to the established floodway set by the city engineer as described in section 62.10.1(1).
62.10.2. When sufficient engineering data is currently available to the city engineer to establish regulatory flood elevations and floodway data along the stream channel, the following provisions shall apply:
(1) The city engineer shall provide the required minimum finished floor elevations and/or the location and width of the floodway district from information and data from his records and files.
(2) Minimum finished floor requirements. New construction of or substantial improvements to existing structures shall be elevated or floodproofed to meet the requirements of section 62.7 based on the established regulatory flood elevations set by the city engineer as determined in section 62.10.2(1).
(3) Floodway district. Section 62.6 shall apply to the established floodway set by the city engineer as described in section 62.10.2(1).
62.10.3. When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in accordance with section 62.1, 62.10.1, or 62.10.2, then the city engineer shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any scientific or historic base flood elevation and floodway data available (including eyewitness accounts of flood elevations along a waterway) from federal, state or other sources in order to administer the provisions of this ordinance. Only if data are not available from these sources, then the following provisions shall apply:
(1) No encroachments, including structures or fill material, shall be located within an area equal to the top width of the stream or 25 feet, whichever is greater, measured from top of stream bank, unless certification by a registered engineer is provided demonstrating that such encroachment shall not result in an increase in the flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(2) In special flood hazard areas without base flood elevation data, new construction of and substantial improvements to existing structures shall have the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement and garage, elevated to no less than three feet above the highest adjacent grade at the building site. Openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement of floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with section 62.7.3 (elevated buildings).
(Ord. No. 98-189, § 1(62.10), 4-7-1998)
Source: City of Huntsville, Alabama, publisher code (Municode) + enacted ordinances (City Council/Legistar)URL: https://library.municode.com/al/huntsville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZOOR_ART62FLHADIRE_62.10STSTWIFIESBAFLELFLZOFetched: 11/6/2026