Can a nonresidential building be built at grade and floodproofed in the flood fringe?

Building a nonresidential structure at grade and floodproofing it in the flood fringe is permissible under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) guidelines. The flood fringe is the area of the floodplain where floodwaters may rise but are generally less than in the floodway, and floodproofing techniques can effectively mitigate flood risks.

Floodproofing involves using design and construction practices that prevent floodwaters from entering and damaging a building. In the case of nonresidential buildings, this can include techniques such as watertight barriers and elevating utilities above potential flood levels.

As long as the floodproofing measures comply with the NFIP regulations and the local floodplain management requirements, constructing at grade in the flood fringe for nonresidential buildings is an acceptable practice. This allows for flexibility in design and can be a viable option in areas where elevation is not feasible or practical.

Other options suggest restrictions that are not aligned with the accepted practices under the NFIP, as nonresidential buildings can indeed be built at grade when proper floodproofing measures are in place.