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.
FEMA defines substantial damage as damage from any cause where restoring the building would cost 50 percent or more of its value before the damage. The comparison uses market value, not repair cost alone. It ties directly to the FEMA 50 percent rule.
When a flood hazard home reaches that line, the City of Tampa says it must be brought up to current code, including raising it above the base flood elevation. A storm repair can turn into a rebuild. Our flood zone guide covers what to do first.
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