FLOOD ZONE REGULATIONS AND FLOOD INSURANCE

FLOOD ZONE REGULATIONS AND

FLOOD INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Community Development Department | 9220 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 111 | Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | Phone: (239) 444-6150 | Fax: (239) 444-6140

Flood_Zone_Regulations_Flood_Insurance_Considerations_20160607.docx 2016-06-07 11:51 AM Page 1 of 1

Please take this opportunity to learn about the flood zone regulations and flood insurance issues that may

impact your permitting project and your flood insurance rates. This may also be an opportunity to help you

protect yourself and your property from future flooding.

Learn your flood hazard, flood zone and map information.

 Take this opportunity to request Flood Insurance Rate Map details, including flood zone, base flood

elevation and other details required to obtain flood insurance.

 At any time in the future, you can access flood map information about any property in t by going to

http://leegis.leegov.com/floodzone, emailing gsmith@cityofbonitaspringscd.org, calling 239-444-6143, or

visiting the City of Bonita Springs Community Development office at 9220 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 111.

Know the safety and insurance benefits of exceeding minimum standards.

 Most construction projects in the Special Flood Hazard Area – that includes flood zones A, AE, or VE –

have a minimum base flood elevation requirement for the first livable floor of the project. Building higher

than those minimums may further reduce your risk of flooding, may lower your flood insurance rates, and

may keep your property in compliance with future FEMA flood map revisions. Your contractor and your

insurance agent can advise you specifically on these advantages and the related construction costs.

 If your construction project is not in the Special Flood Hazard Area – that applies to the X Zone – there is

no required base flood elevation, however, Bonita Springs requires your livable floor to be 1 foot above the

crown of the road. Again, building higher that this minimum may further reduce your risk of flooding and

may keep your property in compliance with future FEMA flood map revisions.

 A Community Development staff member can provide additional flood-related information about your

property, including how spot grade elevations compare to the base flood elevation and whether there are

local hydrology features that you should consider.

 If you currently have flooding issues on your property, staff can advise you on possible improvements. This

may include a site visit.

Don’t block natural flowways.

 Florida state law and City ordinance prohibit private property owners from filling, diverting or otherwise

blocking natural flowways including rivers, creeks, ditches and swales. This includes allowing vegetation to

obstruct water conveyances. Your property must be maintained to allow surface water to drain safely.

Building and remodeling projects may not block natural flowways, and you are encouraged to obtain a

permit before attempting any landscaping, remodeling, or building project that will alter natural flowways.

Choose your flood warning systems.

 Lee County Emergency Operations Center is the County’s warning point for floods and other weather-

related hazards. We encourage you to select a free method to receive personal notification of an imminent

threat through the CodeRED system. Visit www.LeeEOC.com or call 239-533-0622 to sign up.

Get a print or online copy of the Lee County All Hazards Guide.

This guide is loaded with helpful information about flood warning and response as well as property protection

advice.

 Print versions are available at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, 2675 Ortiz Avenue, Fort

Myers, as well as at convenient locations county-wide.

 Access the online version at http://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/plan/ahg.