Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  Foley continues to improve city regulations to protect local property from flooding. Although some streets flooded during recent heavy rains, rising waters did not damage homes or other buildings. Municipal officials are working to strengthen community construction guidelines to keep local properties safe during major weather events.

The Foley City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to strengthen flood-prevention regulations. The council is scheduled to hold a second reading and vote on final passage in November 2026. 

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said that although heavy rains earlier in October flooded some Foley streets, flood-prevention efforts prevented property damage. City crews clearing drainage ditches helped keep water moving safely away from residential areas.

The mayor noted that the city received the equivalent of two inches of rain in 20 minutes on Oct. 4, 2026. In response, Foley crews worked around the clock to open ditches and reduce the risk of flooding before the expected landfall of Hurricane Isaias.

"The big thing to take away from that is that the ditches are clean and at their maximum capacity," Hellmich said. "We fixed things upstream and the houses along there are really not in jeopardy of flooding. That's our goal, to make sure we don't have houses that flood."

Hellmich said the new ordinance will make local development rules much easier to understand. He noted that several area contractors have already expressed their approval of the proposed building regulations.

"This gets us on a common-sense approach to addressing some issues that require them and helps the developers make sure they adhere to these elevations," Hellmich said.

According to Jonathan Cottis, Foley's chief building official and floodplain administrator, the updated ordinance will require new developments to meet nearby flood elevation requirements.

"We're looking to implement a 150-foot floodway buffer," Cottis said. "Basically, if you're within 150 feet of the floodway, you just have to meet the elevation requirement that's nearest to it."

The ordinance also permits stem walls, which are concrete or concrete-block foundation walls, in areas designated as Coastal AE Flood Zones. Because the adopted residential building code already permits stem walls in these areas, the change creates consistent guidelines across municipal rules.

The measure will also rename the city's Flood Damage Development Ordinance to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. This title change aligns with national standards recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Under the new ordinance, any property owner seeking to appeal a city ruling on flood-damage prevention will go to the Foley Construction Board of Appeals. Currently, residents must bring those appeals directly before the City Council.