Building Department

As a municipal building official, you are charged with safeguarding the safety, welfare, and quality of life within your community through the administration and enforcement of building codes and regulations.

By ensuring that buildings are designed and constructed in ways appropriate to their risks from storms and flooding, you can help protect peoples’ property and lives.

Following are some tools that may be useful:

Hazard Identification and Mapping Home

• Interpreting Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study reports
• Understanding the limitations of FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study reports
• Sources of additional information

Regulation and Development Standards Home

• Considering potential future conditions when siting new development
• Keeping public infrastructure outside of damage-prone areas
• Incorporating National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements into local ordinances and regulations
• Ensuring local regulations allow appropriate development techniques
• Using freeboard to elevate structures above predicted floodwaters
• Requiring foundation/building certification
• Conducting inspections of lower-area enclosures

Mitigation and Shore Protection Home

• Retrofitting existing structures
• Relocating existing structures
• Using freeboard to elevate structures above predicted floodwaters

Infrastructure Home

• Improving construction and design of critical facilities

Emergency Services Home

• Assessing damage to buildings

Education and Outreach Home

• Hazard training for local officials