ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS FORM FOR STRUCTURES LOCATED BELOW THE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION IN A
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA
WHAT IS SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OR SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE?
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS
Making additions or alterations to a structure whose lowest floor is below the base flood elevation or rebuilding
your home or structure after the storm?
If your residential or non-residential structure is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and is below the
Base Flood Elevation (BFE), the City of Edgewater has flood damage prevention regulations that may affect how
you remodel, renovate, or add on to your building. If your building has sustained structural and/or interior
damage, these regulations may affect how it is reconstructed. Communities that participate in the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are required to adopt and enforce laws in accordance with 44CFR Sections 59.1
and 60.3. Federally backed flood insurance is available for residents and property owners of communities in
good standing with the NFIP.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the
structure to its pre-
damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value or replacement cost of
the structure before the damage occurred. (Note: The cost of the repairs must include all costs necessary to fully
repair the structure to its before damaged condition).
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a
structure, the c
ost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the “start of
construction” of the improvement. If a building is “substantially damaged” or “substantially improved”, it must
be brought into compliance with the City of Edgewater flood damage prevention regulations, including elevating
the building to or above the base flood elevation. In accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency the City of Edgewater shall determine “substantial damage” and
“substantial improvement” and has implemented the following procedures to do so:
The City will use the assessed value of your structure recorded by the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s
Office. This value excludes the land, pool/spa, an
d any item not a permanent part of the structure. (Please
contact the County Property Appraiser’s office or the City’s Building Department to obtain this value). However,
if you disagree with the Property Appraiser’s valuation of the structure, you may engage a State of Florida
licensed property appraiser to submit an appraisal for the Depreciated Replacement Cost (Actual Cash Value) of
the structure. This appraisal must be dated no later than (6) months from the date of permit submittal.
You must obtain and submit a detailed and complete cost estimate to the City of Edgewater for the addition,
remodeling, reconstruction or for repair of all the damages sustained by your structure. The cost estimate must
be prepared and signed by a licensed contractor. In addition, the contractor must sign an affidavit indicating that
the cost estimate includes all damages or all improvements to the structure, not just structural. A signed
contract must be submitted with the permit application. If the owner is the contractor, the owner is responsible
for submitting the cost estimate, and providing documentation, including subcontractor bids.
The City will evaluate the cost of improvements or repairs and determine if they are fair and reasonable. For
damage repairs, pre-storm prices and rates will be utilized. The cost of improvements or repairs does not include
items not considered a permanent part of the structure (i.e. plans, surveys, permits, sidewalks, pools, screens,
sheds, gazebos, fences, etc.).
If a structure is determined to have “substantial damage” or is proposed to be “substantially improved”, then an
Elevation Certificate must be submitted to the City of Edgewater to determine the lowest floor elevation. Also,
building plans must be submitted illustrating how the structure will be elevated. Please note that garages and
carports are not considered to be the “lowest floor” as long as they are used solely for parking of vehicles,
building access and storage. If the lowest floor and all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical equipment are above
BFE, the building can be repaired and reconstructed without having to comply with the 50% Rule.
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