Update: The Bay County Board of County Commissioners adopted federally mandated updates to the Floodplain Management Ordinance at its meeting on July 16. The new maps will become effective on Aug. 16.
To view the updated maps, click here.
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Changes in FEMA's flood maps will have an impact on building requirements for some Bay County properties, as the County Commission considers adoption of federally mandated updates to the County's Floodplain Management Ordinance at its meeting on July 16.
If approved, the flood maps, established by FEMA in 2019, will become effective on Aug. 16.
“Any building permits that come in from Aug. 16 forward will be regulated by these new flood maps,” Bay County Planning Manager Wayne Porter said.
He said that a FEMA-conducted coastal study determined that some properties would see increases in base flood elevation requirements and zone changes, meaning that builders would likely need to elevate structures more than previously. The map changes could make existing structures nonconforming, meaning that if they were significantly damaged during a hurricane or other weather event, they would need to be reconstructed to meet the new map requirements.
Bay County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through FEMA and is required to meet minimum regulatory standards to be eligible for federal flood insurance policies, though Porter said it is unclear how the new flood maps may impact individual property owners’ insurance rates.
“We could not say how this may impact individuals’ flood insurance rates, and folks will need to call their provider to get more information,” Porter said.
A public hearing on the maps will be held at 9 a.m. July 16 at the Bay County Government Center in the Commission Chambers. To review the updated maps, click here.