Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain Regulations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ocala adopts floodplain code change to boost residents' flood-insurance discounts
Summary
The City of Ocala adopted an ordinance prohibiting enclosures on elevated buildings in flood-hazard areas. City engineer Sean Lanier said the change will earn Community Rating System points and could lower flood-insurance premiums for residents.
The Ocala City Council on Aug. 19 adopted an amendment to Section 90 of the city code that prohibits enclosures on elevated buildings in designated flood-hazard areas, a change staff said will help the city's Community Rating System standing and reduce residents' flood-insurance costs.
City engineer Sean Lanier told the council the amendment is intended to add CRS points and said, "The ordinance revision is to prohibit enclosures on elevated buildings in the flood hazard area." Lanier said the city is currently a CRS Class 3 (a 35% discount for qualifying properties) and that the package of changes being pursued could move Ocala toward Class 2 (about a 40% discount).
Council members asked how the discounts are verified and whether the code would prevent engineered, breakaway enclosures. Lanier and other staff described additional CRS measures (storm-ready designation, mapping updates, community outreach and maintenance programs) that together produce points toward reclassification.
The ordinance was presented by staff, discussed by council, and adopted after a roll call vote. Staff said the change targets a construction type that is uncommon in Ocala and that the prohibition is expected to have minimal local impact while delivering a substantial chunk of the points needed for the next CRS class.
The city will publish guidance for property owners and coordinate enforcement through code compliance if appeals or permit requests arise.
