Flood Damage Control

The City of Tampa has areas that are considered special flood hazard areas that require all buildings to be constructed at, or above, the base flood elevation. The zones are A-10, A-11, V-10, and V-11.

A Zones

These flood zones are areas where rising waters can cause flooding problems if the lowest habitable floor of the building is not built at, or above, the base flood elevation. Enclosed areas below the base flood elevation must have proper openings sized to allow flood waters to flow into and out of these areas without causing any obstructions.

V Zones

These flood zones are considered high hazard zones because they not only have rising waters, but also have the velocity of the water to consider. This velocity can erode foundations and cause structural damage to the building. Enclosed areas below the base flood elevation are not allowed unless the walls are built as breakaway walls, and the area is not used as a habitable area. These breakaway walls are designed to collapse under the pressure of the water so the water can readily flow under the building without causing any erosion or structural damage.

All new construction and additions in these special flood hazard areas must comply with the special flood hazard requirements required by the Federal Emergency management Agency. Remodeling projects whose costs exceed 50 percent of the existing value of the structure must also comply with the flood damage control requirements. These requirements can be found in Chapter 5, Section 5-111 of the City of Tampa Codes.

The City of Tampa participates in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, and is rated a Class 7 community. This allows any citizen who purchases a flood insurance policy to receive a fifteen percent (15%) reduction on the cost of the policy.

As part of our participation, we identify the special flood hazard areas, provide flood zone and elevation information, and prepare variance requests to go before the flood damage control board.

For more information on the Flood Damage Control requirements, please call the Construction Services Center at (813) 274-3100.