Development Review & Flood Zone Information

​Mission

To provide for the necessary review and approval of paving and drainage improvements associated with proposed developments.

This program will provide engineering support to the Board through the Development Review Committee and Zoning Application Process.

This office is also responsible for making flood zone determinations, administering the flood hazard areas, subdivision access management and stormwater management ordinances. Responsible for evaluating levels of service on the stormwater management systems as pertains to concurrency issues.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Lalit L. Lalwani, P.E.

Lalit has served as the Development Review Engineer for Alachua County since March 2003. He represents the Public Works Department in applications related to Zoning, Comprehensive Plan updates, Land Development Regulations to Development Review Committee, the Local Planning Agency and Board of County Commissioner’s (BoCC).

Lalit works with Transportation Engineering staff in reviewing traffic studies, signal warrant analysis, roundabout justification studies, speed zoning studies, and reviewing signage and pavement marking requests. Additionally, he works with Stormwater Engineering staff in reviewing stormwater models and geotechnical reports.  Lalit coordinates with Construction Inspections on permitting and construction related issues pertaining to all development projects as well as projects affecting County infrastructure. He manages all projects that require Contractual Surety Agreements and Pay Applications. He also co​ordinates with Real Property on matters related to easements, acquisitions and annexations.

Lalit served as Regional Director for the Florida Floodplain Managers Association from 2012 to 2018. Lalit is a member of the American Public Works Association and a member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Lalit is FEMA certified through the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS).​

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Determining Flood Risk

Functions

• Administers development regulations for land subdivision, private site development, stormwater management, access management and flood plain management
• Recommends to the Development Review Committee as to issues regarding transportation concurrency, stormwater, parks and solid waste issues
• Recommends and provides technical expertise to the Board of County Commissioners as to issues regarding comprehensive land amendments and rezoning requests
• Recommends to the Board of Adjustment as to issues regarding zoning variances and subdivision regulations
• Reviews
• and issues commercial access, paving and drainage improvement permits
• Provides needed flood information (Flood Insurance Rate Zone Information) and assistance to the public upon request​

For Flood Insurance Rate Zone Information, please call our automated voice-mail system at (352) 337-6140. Have your Tax Parcel Identification Number and Physical Address available. Most requests are answered by the next working day.

For information regarding Public Works-related issues on Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Rezoning Requests or Board of Adjustment Requests, contact Lalit Lalwani at (352) 374-5245 x1243, or email at llalwani@alachuacounty.us.

How Can I Determine If I Am At Risk For Flooding?

It is important for every resident to know the floodplain classification for their property. FEMA publishes maps indicating a community's flood hazard areas and the degree of risk in those areas. To determine the risk for your specific property, call the following officials for your jurisdiction:

Community	Agency	Telephone	FEMA Map Community Number
Alachua County	Public Works	352-337-6140	120001
City of Alachua	Public Works	386-462-1231	120664
City of Archer	City Hall	352-495-2880	120670
City of Hawthorne	(Hawthorne does not participate in NFIP)
City of Gainesville	Public Works	352-334-5069	125107
City of High Springs	City Hall	386-454-1416	120669
Town of LaCrosse	( LaC rosse does not participate in NFIP)		120626
Town of Micanopy	City Hall	352-466-3121	120344
City of Newberry	City Hall	352-472-2161	120679
City of Waldo	City Hall	352-468-1001	120003

Floodplain Maps Online

To browse floodplain maps, visit:

• The Growth Management Map Genius.
• The Alachua County Property Appraiser's website.
• FEMA offers assistance to help find floodplain mapping. Contact a Map Specialist to assist you through email or by calling 1-877-FEMA MAP or visit www.fema.gov.
• To check the probability of flooding please click on the links below. Please note that these are non-regulatory maps and are provided for information purposes.
• Suwannee River Water Management District

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements

Any development in the floodplain requires a flood hazard area permit according to the Unified Land Development Code Ch. 406. If you need a flood zone determination, contact Alachua County Public Works at 352-337-6140 or the City of Gainesville Public Works at 352-334-5069.

If you need a FEMA elevation certification or suspect that illegal floodplain development is occurring call the Alachua County Building and Zoning Department at 352-374-5244 or the City of Gainesville Building Inspection Department at 352-334-5050.

To report suspected illegal developement click on this link: http://growth-management.alachuacounty.us/complaint/create​

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Substantial Improvement Requirements

Substantial improvement shall mean any repair from damage or destruction, reconstruction, improvement, or additions of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the assessed tax value of the structure as is listed by the Alachua County Tax Assessors Office or by a certified appraisal. The assessed value of the structure shall be determined before the improvement is started, or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage or destruction occurred.

For FEMA's substantial improvements/damage reference click on this link: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_nfip_substantial-improvement-substantial-damage-desk-reference.pdf

Community Rating System-Alachua County is a Class 5 Community

On September 11, 2018, the Alachua County Commission was presented a plaque from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for improvement to a Class 5 from a Class 6 rating (on a scale from 1 to 10; 10 being the lowest, 1 being the highest) of the Community Rating System (CRS).

The CRS is a voluntary incentive program of the National Flood Insurance Policies (NFIP) and provides for discounted flood insurance premiums to property owners in participating communities. Alachua County homeowners required to carry flood insurance will receive an additional 5% discount (a 25% discount, as opposed to the current 20% discount) on their flood insurance premiums. The CRS rating is effective October 1, 2017, and is good for three years.

Alachua County has been a participating community in the NFIP since 1984 and in the CRS since 1995. The Community Rating System effort is a result of collaboration between the various Alachua County Departments; Fire Rescue, Growth Management, Environmental Protection and Public Works.

The three goals of the CRS are:

1. Reduce flood damage to insurable property.
2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP and
3. Encourage a comprehensive approach to Floodplain Management.

This reflects the County’s commitment to protecting lives and property through mitigation and wise planning practices.

For more information on the CRS click this link: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_community-rating-system_local-guide-flood-insurance-2018.pdf​

Additional Sources for Information

• FloodSmart.gov The Official Site of the National Flood Insurance Program
• Real Time River and Lake Levels from the Suwannee River Water Management District
• Flooding and Hurricane Information From the Saint Johns River Water Management District
• Water Levels Information from the Saint John’s River Water Management District
• Homeowner’s Insurance Excludes Flood Coverage
• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood insurance is Available in the Community
• There is a 30 Day Waiting Period before Flood Insurance Coverage Goes into Effect
• What is Covered by Flood Insurance
• Turn Around Don’t Drown
• Information from Past Floods
• Flood Alerts
• Protecting Your Home from Wind Damage
• Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding
• Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting
• Floodplain Development Requires a Permit
• Summary of Rules for New Construction
• Alachua County Building Permitting
• Alachua County Floodplain Ordinance
• American Red Cross Flood Safety
• Safety Tips for Evacuation
• Evacuation Routes
• FEMA Description of Floodplain Natural Functions
• Benefits of Natural Floodplains
• Regulations that Protect Floodplain Natural Functions
• Determing  Flood Risk in Alachua County​​​​