Development in Tarpon Springs Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a Floodplain Development Permit under Land Development Code Article IX. The City applies one foot of freeboard above the FEMA base flood elevation and participates in FEMA's Community Rating System.
Tarpon Springs contains multiple FEMA flood zones (X shaded/unshaded, AE 6-12, Coastal A 10-12, and VE 12-16). Article IX of the Land Development Code, together with the Florida Building Code, requires a Floodplain Development Permit for any construction, substantial improvement, or fill in the Special Flood Hazard Area. The City requires one foot of freeboard above FEMA BFE, follows FEMA NFIP and Community Rating System standards, and enforces the substantial-improvement/substantial-damage rule (50% of market value cumulative). Coastal High Hazard Area projects must also meet Section 149.01 elevation standards adopted in Ordinance 2022-24.
Building or filling in the SFHA without a Floodplain Development Permit invites stop-work orders, fines, denial of certificate of occupancy, and possible NFIP insurance issues.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle flood zones.
See how Tarpon Springs's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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