From City Council Updates Floodplain Rules to Preserve Insurance Discounts

What could the updated floodplain rules mean for Novato's flood insurance status?

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Novato updates rules to secure 20% flood insurance discount The City Council updated Novato's floodplain rules to formally require one foot of freeboard—meaning buildings must be at least one foot above the base flood elevation—in flood zones. This ordinance codified a standard that the city was already enforcing through the California Building Code. By formalizing this practice, Novato aims to maintain its current Class 6 rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System. This rating is crucial because it allows qualifying policyholders in the city to receive a 20 percent break on federal flood insurance premiums.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Friday

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How it reaches Novato

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The ordinance formally requires one foot of freeboard in flood zones, which was previously enforced through the California Building Code. This action was taken to ensure Novato could maintain its Class 6 rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, as federal reviewers had flagged that the standard was not written into the municipal code. Novato's current Class 6 rating in the Community Rating System enables qualifying policyholders to receive a 20 percent discount on federal flood insurance premiums. The ordinance's primary function is to preserve this rating and avoid dropping to a lower classification that would shrink these insurance discounts.

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- patch.com Thursday

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The facts so far

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The City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance revising the municipal code at the Sept. 22 meeting.patch.com
The ordinance formally requires one foot of freeboard in flood zones.patch.com
Novato’s current Class 6 rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System gives qualifying policyholders a 20 percent break on federal flood insurance premiums.patch.com

Why it matters

For Novato, maintaining the Class 6 rating is a significant regulatory and financial achievement. This rating directly translates into a 20 percent reduction in federal flood insurance premiums for residents, which helps mitigate the financial risk associated with living in high-risk areas like Hamilton and Bahia.

The ordinance itself primarily codified existing practice, meaning the practical requirements for most residents are not changing. However, the action is critical because federal reviewers had flagged that the one-foot standard was not formally written into the municipal code, putting the city's favorable rating at risk.

What we don't know yet

Will the updated municipal code be sufficient to satisfy all federal reviewers?
How will the ordinance affect manufactured home parks located below sea level?

What would change this answer

Federal reviewers challenge the updated municipal codeNovato may be forced to drop to a lower CRS rating, significantly shrinking the available insurance discounts.

The city implements the ordinance without delayThe city's Class 6 rating and the associated 20 percent insurance discount will be secured and maintained.

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Fireman's Fund Insurance CompanyAlready happeningUpdated rules help preserve 20 percent flood insurance discount

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patch.comThursday

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The full eventCity Council Updates Floodplain Rules to Preserve Insurance Discounts Everything aboutNovato

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