If the cost of repairing the structure (to its condition before Hurricane Ian) is 50 percent or more of its pre-disaster market value, the house or building is considered “substantially damaged.” Land value is not a consideration; the determination is based strictly on the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
FEMA does not make substantial damage determinations; the determination is made by a community’s building official or floodplain manager.
Repairing a structure in a floodplain requires a permit. In addition, the “substantially damaged” structure must be brought into compliance with the Florida Building Code and the community’s floodplain management regulations. Options include floodproofing a non-residential structure, relocating the structure outside the floodplain, elevating the structure to a height determined by local community officials, or demolishing the structure.
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage is a paid coverage under the insured’s NFIP flood policy. Policyholders of structures substantially damaged by flood, located in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), can receive up to $30,000 through ICC to help meet the cost of complying with building codes and ordinances.
For more information on general flood insurance questions, contact the NFIP at 800- 427-4661, or call your insurance agent. You can also email FloodSmart@dhs.gov to request information in a language other than English. Information also is available at FEMA.gov and FloodSmart.gov.