Question

During the second inspection, you find that the builder wants to build the lowest floor 3 feet below BFE in order to save on construction costs. What repercussions would the owner face if the community issued a certificate of occupancy for the building and did not pursue any enforcement action?

Answer 1

Constructing a building below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) can lead to higher insurance premiums, compromised disaster relief eligibility, potential legal issues, decreased property value, and sanctions for the community.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a builder constructs the lowest floor of a building 3 feet below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to save on construction costs and the community subsequently issues a certificate of occupancy without enforcement action, the building owner may face several serious repercussions.

Firstly, they could be subject to higher flood insurance premiums due to increased risk. In addition, the building's eligibility for federal disaster relief in the event of flooding could be compromised, and there may be potential legal liabilities due to non-compliance with local floodplain management ordinances or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Furthermore, the value of the property could be adversely affected as future buyers may be hesitant to purchase property with known compliance issues. Lastly, if the community is found to be in violation of NFIP regulations, it could lead to the entire community facing sanctions, including suspension from the NFIP, which can affect the availability of flood insurance for all residents within the area. It is essential for owners and builders to adhere to BFE requirements to avoid these serious financial and legal outcomes.