WHAT ARE THE FLOOD ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS?

If the project lies within a flood area it is classified by zone type on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of the area and/or the Survey of the property. If the building has an elevation below BFE, it will be in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) noted either a “A” or “V” Zone.

“A” zone is as an area with an elevation below the Base Flood Elevation Base Flood Elevation (BFE): The height of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as specified. , where the waves are expected to be less than three feet during the 100-year flood.

“V” zone is as an area with an elevation below the BFE, where the waves are expected to be greater than three feet during the 100-year flood. “V” Zones are considered to be subject to coastal high hazard flooding.

Definitions

Base Flood Elevation:  Base Flood Elevation (BFE):  The height of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or other datum as specified.