Above Sea Level

  You may have heard the term “elevation” or noticed markings on a curb (in the photo- Elev 9.23).  The elevation of a street varies by location on the island. The lowest elevations are closer to the bay (the Avalon lagoon area is an exception), and the highest are on Bayberry Drive and in the dunes.

New construction requires a first floor elevation of 11 feet.  And the rate for flood insurance is based on the elevation- below 10 feet will cost twice as much as above 10 feet (an issue when purchasing an older home that sits low to the ground).

If major renovations are planned on a structure that sits below the required elevation, the Borough (Avalon and Stone Harbor) will require the home to be raised to meet code- a realistic factor in the decision to renovate versus tear down.