Guidance on Elevating Air Conditioner Systems in the Floodplain

The City Engineer has provided the following guidance regarding the elevation of air conditioner systems in the regulated floodplain:

The replacement of any equipment should be at the highest elevation possible within reason. However, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Chapter 19 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances only requires the elevation of equipment to the regulatory elevations when the value of that work exceeds 50% of the structure. Based on that condition, no portion of the system is required to be placed at a regulatory elevation for single-family situations where only the air conditioning system is being replaced. Multi-family and commercial situations that are in the regulated floodplain will be required to elevate the equipment to the regulatory elevation for health and safety reasons.

Currently the regulatory elevation is the 500-year elevation plus two (2) feet.

For questions, please contact the Floodplain Management Office at [email protected] or at 832-394-8854.

 

Posted date:
October 26, 2018