Lowest floor

{
  "id": "MLC-T-INS-000130",
  "term": "Lowest floor",
  "field": "Insurance and risk management",
  "term_source": "Lowest Floor",
  "definition": "1. The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including a basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building's lowest floor provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of requirements.\n\n2. The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not considered a building's lowest floor; Provided, that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of Sec. 60.3.\nCommunities are required to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved structures.\nAll new and substantially improved structures must have the lowest floor elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Non-residential buildings may be floodproofed below the BFE.\nNational Flood Insurance Program Requirements\n• 59.1 - Definitions\n• 60.3 (b) (5) i - Floodplain management criteria for floodprone areas",
  "subject": "National Flood Insurance Program",
  "references": [
    "FloodSmart Flood Insurance Glossary",
    "FEMA Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/insurance/lowest-floor/"
}