If your home is located in a floodplain (near a river or stream or on a barrier island), special permits beyond the usual building permits may be required prior to construction and your plans may be subject to special requirements. Be sure to check with your contractor or architect beforehand. (Violations of these building regulations are punishable by fine and removal, so it behooves you to play by the rules here - and if you see someone else who's not following the guidelines, contact the county's Code Enforcement office at (239) 335-2535 to seek corrective action).

If you're planning to build on an unbridged barrier island, flood insurance from the NFIP may not be available to you. Check with county officials or your insurance agent first to find out.

What if I'm buying a home?
Flood insurance is necessary to obtain federally secured funds to buy, build or renovate a structure located in a flood hazard area. This includes federal grants. FHA or VA loans and most conventional mortgages.

This makes it crucial to check whether your future home is located in a flood hazard area and, if it is, to purchase flood insurance with the home itself (even if you do not need a federally backed loan or mortgage). It's worth the financial protection should a flood strike.

If there's any doubt, don't assume the home is safe from flooding by relying on the word of sellers or neighbors. Ask local building or code enforcement officials to help you determine if there is a real flood risk to your potential home.

This is also important if you're buying a lot on which to build a home. You need to find out the current zoning (to ensure the home is legal) and the required flood elevation to receive the necessary permits and insurance.

Remember as well if you're buying a home with plans to substantially improve it, those improvements will likely have to meet current standards for flood safety as well as structural integrity. You should discuss your rehabilitation plans with a licensed contractor and your insurance agent to ensure adequate compliance and coverage.

What if my home is damaged by flooding?
First, ensure your safety when re-entering a flooded home. Be sure electricity, gas and water are turned off and allow floodwaters to drain as soon as possible. Then assess the damage, contact your insurance agent and start the process of repairing the mess left behind.

Lee County regulations (and NFIP insurance) require that any home damaged by flood to the extent that repairs will cost more than 50 percent of the home's value must be rebuilt to current standards for building and safety. If the home has a history of flood damage, there may be steps you can take to get funding for preventive measures (such as elevating it above the base flood elevation) against future flood risk.