Local Community's Role in the National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a voluntary program based on a mutual agreement between the federal government and the local community. In exchange for adopting and enforcing a floodplain management ordinance in compliance with federal and state laws, federally backed flood insurance is made available to property owners throughout the community.

In general, it is the local community's responsibility to conduct the following activities:

• Understand the local flood damage prevention ordinance and all state and federal floodplain management requirements.
• Review permit applications for all floodplain development.
• Determine compliance with all applicable floodplain management requirements.
• Coordinate permit reviews.
• Conduct inspections on development in floodplains.
• Take enforcement actions for noncompliant development.
• Interact in the appeals and variance process.
• Keep records of all floodplain development.
• Collect fees, if necessary.
• Investigate complaints.
• Complete Federal Emergency Management Agency biennial reports.
• Maintain and update administrative forms.
• Coordinate map appeals and revisions.
• Maintain floodplain maps and data.
• Disseminate floodplain management information.