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Sumter County weighs 'presumption' to speed permits while FEMA map updates lag
Summary
Staff told commissioners FEMA technical reviews for letters-of-map revisions have extended from months to years, trapping homeowners and delaying permits. The county proposed a limited 'presumption' allowing development permits to proceed for planned, engineered subdivisions while preserving elevation‑certificate safeguards; commissioners asked staff to draft language and coordinate with cities.
Sumter County officials told the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 17 that delays in FEMA technical reviews are creating a logjam for homeowners and developers seeking permits that depend on elevation certificates.
"That extended process has now gone from 90 days to a 1 plus 3 year process," floodplain manager Chris Morrison said, summarizing lengthy FEMA technical‑review timelines that have left some lots incorrectly shown in flood zones and have forced homeowners to secure elevation certificates or wait for map updates.
Morrison and county staff…
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