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Floodplain Management
National Flood Insurance Program
During 1971, the City of Key West joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The NFIP establishes flood zones and minimum flood levels to set flood insurance premiums. It also establishes construction standards for buildings in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) with type "A" and "V" flood zones. The NFIP generally requires a flood insurance policy for any property in the SFHA that is covered by a mortgage, because most financial institutions are backed by federal insurance.
Resources
Anyone can use this website to:
- View the Preliminary New Flood Maps.
- Look up flood zones and base flood elevations for specific parcels by address.
- Obtain copies of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Elevation Certificates that "may" be on-file with the City.
- Find the flood level for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) installations.
- Request a letter from the city Floodplain Administrator verifying the flood zone of a specific parcel.
- Download copies of current Flood Insurance Rate Map panels.
- Research recent changes to the current flood maps.
- Learn about the 50% Rule for Substantially Improved structures.
- Answers to common floodplain construction questions:
- Breakaway walls
- Elevating buildings
- Flood resistant materials
- Flood vents
- Floodproofing
- Freeboard
- Find a flood insurance agent.
- Learn about the federal Mandatory Flood Insurance Requirement.
- Research the local flood damage prevention ordinance.
Outside the city limits of
Key West
This site is only applicable to those buildings within the corporate limits of the City of Key West, Florida. Several areas outside the city limits receive their mail from the Key West Post Office. They may have a "Key West" mailing address but aren’t actually located in the City, such as:
- Key West Airport
- Naval Air Station
- Raccoon Key
- Rockland Key
- Stock Island (South Side)
If you are in one of the categories outlined, refer to Monroe County Floodplain Management.
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Flood Maps
The City's Building Department has flood maps that indicate whether you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area. There is also information on flooding problems in specific, localized areas.
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Elevation Certificates
Learn more about when and why you would need to obtain an elevation certificate before building.
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Substantial Improvement
Older buildings - built prior to December 31, 1974 - were grandfathered into the flood insurance program at their current heights. That grandfathered status expires once the building has been Substantially Improved; which means repaired or remodeled to 50% or more of the building's market value.
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Mitigation
Substantial renovation of existing buildings and new construction usually requires certain flood damage protection requirements.
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Construction in Flood Zones
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Flood Insurance
Learn more about getting flood insurance for your house.
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Flood Ordinances
View the Flood Ordinances from the Municipal Code.
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Building Height Exception
Learn more about the Building Height Referendum that makes it possible to elevate building height.
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Flood Warnings
Review resources for flood warnings in the area.
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Community Rating System (CRS)
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program managed by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Eligible communities are awarded community-wide discounts to their flood insurance premiums for exceeding the basic provisions of NFIP participation, designed to further prevent future damages from flood events.
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Floodplain Forms
Search through forms about flooding.
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Endangered Species Habitats (FEMA List)
Certain parcels of land within the City of Key West were designated by the Courts as having the potential habitat for three endangered species of animals or plants: Eastern Indigo Snake, Stock Island Tree Snail and Keys Tree Cactus. Once known as the "FEMA List," development permits for these parcels may require local review before permits may be issued. If development would affect such habitat, the City is required to refer the proposal to the US Wildlife Service for review and approval.