Get Required Permits Before Rebuilding

Release Date Release Number
FS-007
Release Date:
August 14, 2018

Before considering new construction and repairs on property located in flood-hazard areas, survivors of the severe storms in Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties are urged to consult local building officials to obtain floodplain development permits.

 

Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a 100-year floodplain. Floodplain development permits cannot be waived, and local governments cannot reduce or ignore the floodplain requirement.

 

Know your local flood risk by viewing and downloading your community’s flood risk products from FEMA’s Map Service Center (MSC) Product Catalog. Flood risk products are non-regulatory resources that help communities gain a better understanding of flood risk and its potential impacts. 

 

Permits protect the residents, their families, communities, and buildings by ensuring all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and construction techniques.

Permits can provide a permanent record of compliance with elevation, and/or retrofitting requirements, which is useful information when selling your home and necessary for the flood insurance rating.

 

Local permit offices can provide suggestions or literature on how to better protect your home or business from future disaster-related damages.

 

Local permit offices can provide consumers with information on selecting licensed contractors and advice on protecting themselves from unscrupulous contractors.

 

Residents are asked to start construction and repair only after they have received permits from their local building department.

 

Additional information on the National Flood Insurance Program can be found at https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program. To learn more about flood maps visit http://www.floodsmart.gov.

 

For more information on recovery in Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4377 or the Texas Division of Emergency Management website.

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