The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires any reconstruction, addition, or other improvement of a structure in the SFHA where the cost is 50% or greater than the value of the entire structure must conform to the same construction requirements of a new building and be constructed 18 inches above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Substantial Damage
If a building, in the SFHA, is damaged and the cost of restoring the building to it’s before-damaged condition is 50% or greater the building is required to be brought into compliance with the Town’s regulations of a new building. Work on a building that is considered substantial damaged is considered to be a substantial improvement, regardless of the actual repair work being done.
Be sure to get any required permits.