--- title: "Home Building Glossary: 40 Terms for Tampa Builds" description: "Plain-English definitions of 40 terms for building a home in Tampa, from base flood elevation to change orders, each with its official source." url: https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary publisher: Halo Homes phone: +1-813-956-1972 quote: https://build813.multisites.ai/contact --- ![Built-in bar with light oak chevron shelving and two wine fridges](https://build813.multisites.ai/_astro/bar-shelving.DgF_jvsm_292MRA.avif) # Glossary 40 building, flood, permit and money terms in plain English. Every fact links to its source. Search the glossary No terms match. Try a shorter word. ## A [Allowance](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/allowance) An allowance is a budgeted amount in a contract for items not yet chosen, such as tile or lighting fixtures. ## B [Base flood elevation](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/base-flood-elevation) Base flood elevation (BFE) is the height that floodwater has a 1 percent chance of reaching or passing in any given year, as shown on FEMA flood maps. [Building height limit](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/building-height-limit) A building height limit is the tallest a structure may be under local zoning, measured by a method the code defines. [Building permit](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/building-permit) A building permit is written approval from the local government to start construction after it reviews your plans against the code. ## C [Certificate of appropriateness](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/certificate-of-appropriateness) A certificate of appropriateness is approval from a historic review board for exterior work, new construction, or demolition in a local historic district. [Certificate of occupancy](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/certificate-of-occupancy) A certificate of occupancy is the document a building department issues when a finished building passes final inspection and may be lived in. [Change order](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/change-order) A change order is a signed amendment that changes the scope, price, or schedule of a construction contract. [Construction loan](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/construction-loan) A construction loan is a short-term loan that pays for building a home, with funds released in stages as work progresses. [Construction-to-permanent loan](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/construction-to-permanent-loan) A construction-to-permanent loan covers the build and then converts to a regular mortgage after the home is finished. [Cost-plus contract](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/cost-plus-contract) A cost-plus contract has the owner pay the actual cost of the work plus a set fee or percentage to the builder. ## D [Design flood elevation](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/design-flood-elevation) Design flood elevation is the height a local government requires for the lowest floor, usually the base flood elevation plus any required freeboard. [Design-bid-build](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/design-bid-build) Design-bid-build is a delivery method where an architect completes the design first and separate builders then bid to construct it. [Design-build](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/design-build) Design-build is a delivery method where one company takes responsibility for both the design and the construction of a project. [Draw schedule](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/draw-schedule) A draw schedule lists the building milestones that trigger each release of money from a construction loan. ## E [Elevation certificate](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/elevation-certificate) An elevation certificate is a form completed by a licensed surveyor or engineer that records a building's floor height against the base flood elevation. ## F [FEMA 50 percent rule](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/fema-50-percent-rule) The FEMA 50 percent rule requires a building in a flood hazard area to be brought up to current flood standards when repairs or improvements reach half its market value. [FEMA flood zone AE](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/fema-flood-zone-ae) Zone AE is a high-risk flood area on FEMA maps where a base flood elevation has been determined and flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage. [FEMA flood zone VE](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/fema-flood-zone-ve) Zone VE is a coastal flood area with a 1 percent or greater annual chance of flooding plus added hazard from storm waves. [Fixed-price contract](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/fixed-price-contract) A fixed-price contract sets one total price for a defined scope of work before construction starts. [Flood insurance rate map](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/flood-insurance-rate-map) A flood insurance rate map (FIRM) is the official FEMA map that shows flood zones and base flood elevations for a community. [Flood vents](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/flood-vents) Flood vents are openings in the walls of an enclosure below the flood elevation that let water pass through and equalize pressure on the walls. [Floor area ratio](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/floor-area-ratio) Floor area ratio (FAR) is the total floor area of a building divided by the area of its lot, a number that caps how much can be built. [Florida Building Code](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/florida-building-code) The Florida Building Code is the statewide set of construction rules for design, wind, flood, energy, and safety that local building officials enforce. [Freeboard](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/freeboard) Freeboard is extra height added above the base flood elevation as a margin of safety for the lowest floor of a building. ## G [Grand tree](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/grand-tree) A grand tree is a class of protected tree in the City of Tampa tree code that gets extra protection during construction and removal. ## I [Impact windows](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/impact-windows) Impact windows use laminated glass and strong frames that are tested to resist wind-borne debris during a hurricane. ## L [Local historic district](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/local-historic-district) A local historic district is an area where a city board reviews exterior changes and new buildings to protect the historic character. [Lot coverage](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/lot-coverage) Lot coverage is the share of a lot that zoning allows buildings and other covered structures to occupy. ## P [Private provider](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/private-provider) A private provider is a licensed professional that a property owner hires under Florida law to review plans or perform inspections in place of the local building department. [Punch list](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/punch-list) A punch list is the final list of small fixes and unfinished items found during a walkthrough before closeout. ## S [Seawall](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/seawall) A seawall is a vertical wall along a shoreline or canal that holds back water and protects the land behind it. [Setback](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/setback) A setback is the minimum distance zoning requires between a building and a lot line, such as the front, side, or rear property line. [Spec home](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/spec-home) A spec home is a house a builder designs and builds before a buyer is chosen, then sells when it is finished. [Special flood hazard area](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/special-flood-hazard-area) A special flood hazard area (SFHA) is the part of a FEMA map where federal floodplain rules apply and flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed loans. [Storm surge](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/storm-surge) Storm surge is the rise of seawater above normal tides that a hurricane or tropical storm pushes onto land. [Substantial damage](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/substantial-damage) Substantial damage means repair costs equal or exceed 50 percent of a building's market value before the damage, which triggers current flood code. [Substantial improvement](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/substantial-improvement) Substantial improvement means a rebuild or addition costing 50 percent or more of a building's market value, which requires the whole building to meet current flood rules. ## T [Tear-down](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/tear-down) A tear-down is an older house bought mainly for its lot, with plans to demolish it and build a new home. ## W [Wind-borne debris region](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/wind-borne-debris-region) A wind-borne debris region is an area defined in the Florida Building Code where exterior openings must be impact resistant or covered with approved shutters. ## Z [Zoning](https://build813.multisites.ai/glossary/zoning) Zoning is the set of local rules that controls how land may be used and how large and where buildings may sit. ![Outdoor kitchen with a grill and stainless hood under a covered balcony](https://build813.multisites.ai/_astro/ladoga-outdoor-kitchen.jlm4iJcV_1Uthma.avif) ## Start your home. Tell Halo about your lot, your plans and your timing. A call or a short note is enough to begin. [Start your home](https://build813.multisites.ai/contact) Or call [(813) 956-1972](tel:+1-813-956-1972)