Items needed to acquire permits for repair of flood damaged homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area. For a Flood Repair Permitting Packet, click here. For structures located outside of a special flood hazard area, normal permitting procedures apply.
- Completed and signed permit application.
- Official Elevation certificate.
- Completed Damage Repair Worksheet. Continue with items below if the structure is non-conforming. (See definition below)
- Completed Property Owner's Damage Affidavit.
- Completed Contractor's Damage Affidavit.
- Pre-flood appraised market value of the structure from a licensed appraiser. (Optional, see how is market value determined below)
Notice of Determination of substantial damage will be issued upon request.
Questions and Answers
What is a "non-conforming structure"?
Existing structures that have the lowest finished floor below the required elevation are non-conforming.
What is the FEMA 50% rule?
Escambia County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, making affordable flood insurance available for structures within its jurisdiction through FEMA. The FEMA 50% Rule is a requirement for participation in this program. It limits the cost of repairs to non-conforming structures to less than 50% of the “Market Value” of the structure prior to the Flood. If your home is below the FEMA required flood elevation, the Parish has flood damage prevention regulations that will affect repair your home.
What if the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the market value?
If a building is ‘substantially damaged’ or ‘substantially improved’, it must be brought into compliance with Escambia County floodplain regulations, which may include elevating the building to or above the 100 year flood elevation. Likewise, all electrical and mechanical equipment, bathrooms, and laundry rooms would need to be elevated. Only parking, building access and storage is allowed below the flood level.
