PASCO COUNTY – If recent hurricanes caused major damage to your home and you live in a flood zone, there’s a chance you’ll have to rebuild to new flood safety standards.
Figuring out how to do this and understanding why can seem overwhelming. Pasco County Building Construction Services is available to help.
Pasco County Building Construction Services is responsible for determining if homes in flood zones are substantially damaged. Residents can learn more about how Pasco makes that determination in the chart accompanying this story. Pasco County Building Construction Services will send you a letter letting you know.
If your letter says your home is substantially damaged, you have 90 days to decide whether to rebuild, demolish or appeal the decision. Pasco County Building Construction Services has broken down the steps into a flow chart to help you navigate the process: mypas.co/DamageFlowChart.
All homes with substantial damage must be elevated, rebuilt to new flood safety standards or demolished for the community to be able to keep National Flood Insurance Program coverage and maintain other federal benefits.
National Flood Insurance Program rules are designed to reduce repetitive flood losses covered by taxpayer dollars while helping communities be more resilient. FEMA performs audits to ensure compliance.
If this process isn’t followed, Pasco risks:
- Probation or suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Loss of access to federally regulated mortgages.
- Ineligibility for federal grants, funding and recovery assistance programs.
In addition to complying with flood zone rebuilding rules, residents must have the proper permits and should hire a licensed contractor before beginning repairs. Pasco County Building Construction Services permitting techs are ready to help residents navigate the recovery process.
Visit mypas.co/BuildingConstruction to find an office near you. Visit the Substantial Improvement and Damage webpage at mypas.co/47Rq9bY for more information about rebuilding in a flood zone.
