FEMA Approval For Construction

To get your land verified and approved by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) for construction or development purposes, you need to follow a series of steps that involve assessing flood risks, ensuring compliance with FEMA’s floodplain management regulations, and possibly obtaining an official Letter of Map Change (LOMC) or FEMA map revision. Here’s how to go about it:

Obtain FEMA Flood Map and Study the Flood Zone

Access FEMA Flood Maps (FIRMs): Begin by identifying the flood zone classification of your property by using FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). These maps are available on FEMA’s Map Service Center.
- Online Access: Visit FEMA’s Map Service Center and enter your address to find out whether your land is in a flood zone (e.g., Zone A, AE, V, or X).
- Flood Zone Identification: FEMA flood zones will give you important information about the level of flood risk in your area (low, moderate, high). Zones like A, AE, and VE are high-risk flood zones, while X zones are low-risk areas.

Conduct a Flood Risk Study (If Needed)

Flood Elevation and Hydrological Studies: If your property is in a high-risk flood zone (like Zone A, AE, or VE), you may need to hire a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Surveyor to conduct hydrological and hydraulic studies. These studies might include:
- Base Flood Elevation (BFE): Determining the elevation of the 100-year flood.
- Floodplain Delineation: Identifying the boundaries of the floodplain on your property.
- Flood Hazard Mapping: Establishing whether your property lies within the floodplain and if mitigation measures will be required.

Apply for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC)

If your land is in a flood zone but you believe it should not be (for example, if it is incorrectly mapped in a high-risk flood zone), you can apply for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) from FEMA to revise or amend the flood map.

Types of LOMC:

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA): Used to remove a property from the floodplain when the property is shown incorrectly on FEMA’s flood maps.
Letter of Map Revision (LOMR): A formal map revision that changes floodplain boundaries or the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) based on new studies or data.

Steps to Apply for LOMC:

Complete FEMA Form MT-1 or MT-2: Depending on your request, you will need to fill out FEMA’s MT-1 or MT-2 form. These forms require detailed information about the land and flood conditions.
Submit Supporting Documents: Provide necessary documentation such as elevation certificates, hydrological studies, survey reports, and property maps.
- For LOMA, an Elevation Certificate (signed by a licensed surveyor) is typically required to show that the building or structure is above the flood level.
- For LOMR, you may need additional data like updated hydrological models or studies.
Submit the Application to FEMA: Submit the completed forms and supporting documentation to FEMA either online through the FEMA Map Service Center or via paper submission.
Wait for FEMA’s Response: FEMA will review your application, and if they find your property qualifies for removal from the flood zone, they will issue the LOMC.

Get an Elevation Certificate

If your land is in a high-risk flood zone (e.g., Zone A or AE), FEMA will often require an Elevation Certificate for new construction or development projects. This certificate verifies the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and the elevation of your property (and any buildings or structures) in relation to the BFE.

Steps to Get an Elevation Certificate:

Hire a Licensed Surveyor: A licensed surveyor or engineer must perform an elevation survey to measure the lowest finished floor of any proposed structure relative to the BFE.
Submit the Certificate to FEMA: Once completed, the elevation certificate is submitted as part of your application to FEMA to verify compliance with flood zone regulations.

Comply with Floodplain Management Regulations

FEMA’s Floodplain Management Requirements: If your property is within a designated floodplain, you must adhere to FEMA’s Floodplain Management Regulations as part of the local floodplain ordinance. These regulations often include specific design, construction, and mitigation measures to minimize flood risk, such as:
- Elevating structures above the BFE.
- Using flood-resistant materials for construction.
- Building flood walls or barriers if necessary.
Local Permits: Contact your local floodplain administrator or building department for specific local regulations and permits required for construction in a flood zone.

Flood Insurance Requirements

Flood Insurance Purchase: If your property is located in a high-risk flood zone (e.g., Zone A, AE, VE), you will likely be required to purchase flood insurance to obtain a federally backed mortgage. This is mandatory for properties in these zones.
Flood Insurance for Low-Risk Zones: Even if your property is in a low-risk flood zone (Zone X), it is still recommended to consider flood insurance, as flood events can occur anywhere.

Maintain Compliance with Floodplain Management during Construction

If your construction is approved and you proceed with development, ensure that the floodplain management measures are in place during and after construction:

Elevate Structures Above the BFE: Follow the construction requirements to elevate buildings and structures above the BFE.
Use Flood-Resistant Materials: For areas susceptible to flooding, use materials that can withstand water exposure (e.g., concrete, treated wood, water-resistant coatings).
Proper Drainage Design: Incorporate drainage systems and stormwater management solutions to prevent flooding and erosion during and after construction.

Summary of Steps to Get Your Land Verified and Passed by FEMA:

Check FEMA flood maps to determine if your land is in a flood zone.
Conduct a flood risk assessment and consult a licensed engineer or surveyor to assess your property.
Apply for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) if needed to amend the flood zone or remove your property from the floodplain.
Obtain an Elevation Certificate for new construction or renovation in a flood-prone area.
Follow FEMA floodplain management regulations for construction and flood mitigation.
Purchase flood insurance if required, particularly for properties in high-risk flood zones.
Ensure local compliance with municipal building and floodplain ordinances during construction.

By following these steps and ensuring your construction meets FEMA’s standards, you can successfully get your land verified and approved for development, while minimizing flood risks and complying with legal requirements.