If part of a building project involves demolishing a common wall, what must be checked to determine if the entire building must be elevated?

When a building project involves demolishing a common wall, it's crucial to assess the extent of the work on that wall. This assessment is important because the degree of alteration can affect the overall compliance with floodplain management regulations, which may include elevation requirements for structures located in flood-prone areas.

If the changes to the common wall are significant enough to impact the structural integrity or the flood-resistance of the building, it might trigger the need for the entire building to be brought into compliance with current elevation standards. This aligns with regulations aimed at minimizing flood risk and ensuring safety. Local jurisdictions often have specific criteria regarding when a substantial improvement occurs, and understanding the extent of work done on the wall helps determine if the project meets those criteria.

Other factors like local building codes, building insurance coverage, and costs associated with the project play roles in the overall planning and compliance process, but they do not directly determine whether the entire structure must be elevated following the alteration of a common wall. The primary concern is whether the work constitutes a substantial improvement that would necessitate elevating the building in accordance with floodplain regulations.