Even if your property is not in an SFHA, your lender may still require flood insurance. Lenders decide whether or not you need coverage based on their own policies.

Flood insurance through the NFIP is available for any property in Marion County. 

There is usually a 30-day waiting period before your flood insurance takes effect. Don’t wait until a storm is coming, plan ahead!

To learn more, call the NFIP at 877-336-2627.***
For questions about our floodplain management program, contact our office at 352-438-2675.

***Disclaimer: The official NFIP phone number is 877-336-2627. Beware of similar numbers, such as 877-339-2627, which are not affiliated with FEMA and may promote unrelated services. Always use official sources like FEMA.gov to verify information. 

I Have Homeowner's Insurance. Do I Really Need Flood Insurance?

Most homeowners, renters, & business insurance policies do not cover flood damage. 

Flood insurance is available to everyone & is strongly recommended—even if you live in a low- or moderate-risk flood zones. More than 20% of flood insurance claims come from outside of high-risk flood zones.

Policies can cover your home, other structures, & if added, your personal belongings. The following charts show what NFIP flood insurance policies cover for homeowners, renters, & businesses. For additional information about coverage & rates, visit the FloodSmart website.

The cost of your flood insurance depends on several factors, but rates do not differ from agent to agent or company to company.

Your rate is based on:

• The year your structure was built.
• Whether your structure is compliant with local floodplain ordinances.
• The status as a primary or non-primary residence.
• The elevation of the lowest floor.
• The amount of coverage of your policy for structures & content.
• The deductible amount of your policy.
• Your property's flood risk:
  • FEMA flood zone (ex: Zone A, AE, X, etc.).
  • Distance from flooding sources (ex: lakes, rivers).
  • Cost to rebuild insured structures after a disaster.

Learn more about how the NFIP calculates flood insurance costs.

Learn more about a variety of flood insurance topics, like how to get an insurance quote & how to get a flood elevation certificate.

Where Can I Find a Local Flood Insurance Agent?

If you need help purchasing flood insurance, most local property & casualty insurance agents* can assist you.

 To find licensed insurance agents near you:

• Use the "find a flood insurance provider" tool on the official FEMA FloodSmart website & filter search results by Florida; or
• Contact your existing home insurance provider to ask about adding a flood policy through the NFIP.

*Disclaimer: Marion County does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance agency or company.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates high, moderate, or low risk areas based on flood zones.

A flood zone is an area where there’s a certain chance of flooding. To figure this out, experts look at things like:

• how often floods happen.
• how close the area is to water.
• different types of floods events—such as heavy rain or river overflow.
• details about the land & buildings—such as elevation & how much it would cost to rebuild.

The higher the flood risk, the more likely it is that flooding & damage will happen.

Visit the FloodSmart website to learn more about flood risk & FEMA flood zones.

What is a Natural Floodplain?

A natural floodplain is a flat area beside a waterbody - like a stream, river, lake, or coast - that floods occasionally when water levels rise.

Where are Natural Floodplains in Marion County?

Check out Marion County’s Floodplain Finder for an interactive GIS map, showing flood hazards, environmentally sensitive areas, waterbodies, parks, aerial imagery & more.

Why are Natural Floodplains Important?

Natural floodplains serve important natural & environmental roles in Marion County by:

• Absorbing & slowing floodwaters, which reduce downstream impacts.
• Recharging groundwater & maintaining water quality.
• Supporting diverse wildlife habitats & wetland ecosystems.
• Providing recreational & aesthetic value to the community.

Are There Any Local Regulations That Help Protect Natural Floodplains?

Marion County protects natural floodplain functions through several Land Development Code (LDC) regulations:

• LDC Division 5.2. - Environmentally Sensitive Overlay Zone.
• LDC Division 5.3. - Floodplain Management.
• LDC Division 6.6. - Habitat Protection.

1. Know your risk. 

See where flood risks are highest in Marion County — but remember the risk of flooding is never zero percent. 

2. Get alerts. 

Sign up with Alert Marion to receive warnings & updates about flooding & other emergencies in the County.

3. Understand plans.

• Make a family plan
• Know your evacuation route
• Visit the Marion County Emergency Management website for emergency shelter locations* & more resources.

  *Disclaimer: the shelter location webpage will only show locations of open shelters after a warning has been issued, or an emergency has been declared*

4. Respond appropriately. Depending on the type of flooding...

• Evacuate if told to do so.
  • Review this Ready.gov webpage to learn what to do before, during, & after an evacuation.
• Move to higher ground or a higher floor, but not to an attic.
• Stay where you are.

5. Stay alive!

Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Cars & people can be swept away.

When powerlines are down, water is in your home, or before you evacuate, do the following to keep yourself & others safe

• Shut off your home's gas, electricity, & water.
• Clear gutters & drains.
• Tie down or bring outside items inside.
• Unplug appliances to prevent electrical shock when power returns.

To learn more about how to stay safe during & after a flood, visit this Ready.gov webpage.

Prepare for hurricanes and high-speed winds.

Flooding often comes with high-speed winds. Prepare for both by:

• Installing hurricane shutters over windows.
• Reinforcing roofs & doors.
• Securing or bringing in outdoor furniture.
• Trimming trees near structures.
• Reviewing this FEMA guide to protect your property from severe winds.

Maintain drainage systems & report dumping in drainage systems.

Clogged ditches & drains can cause or exacerbate flooding on your & others' property.

• Don’t dump leaves, yard waste, or trash in storm drains.
• Keep swales, gutters, & culverts on your property clean.

To report a blockage or dumping incident, call the Stormwater hotline at 352-671-8880 or email Stormwater@MarionFL.org.

For immediate assistance, call 352-671-8686 & ask to speak with Stormwater.

Emergency flood-proofing measures

In the event of a flooding emergency, you can use the following short-term protection measures to reduce your risk of property damage:

• Deploy sandbags at doors or garage entries.
• Elevate valuables & appliances.
• Install a battery‑backed sump pump & backflow valve to remove water & prevent sewage backup.
• Seal foundation cracks.
• Grade landscaping & clear gutters to direct water away.

Permanent flood-proofing measures

There are six main ways to permanently retrofit a building to protect your property from flood damage. 

1. Dry floodproofing.
2. Wet floodproofing.
3. Barrier systems.
4. Elevation.
5. Relocation.
6. Demolition.

View a brief, detailed overview of these measures here.

For a complete overview & explanation of these six measures, read FEMA's Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting.

 Do I Need a Permit to Build in a Flood Zone?

Yes, before starting construction or development anywhere in the county, including SFHAs, you must first apply for a building permit with Building Safety. 

The property owner & their authorized agent(s) are responsible for applying for the required permit(s) & complying with floodplain development regulations when building in a SFHA.

How Do I Get a Permit to Build in a Flood Zone?

After applying for your permit in SFHA, you must complete a three-step process:

1. Submit an Elevation Certificate (EC) Agreement*.
        a. Must be notarized & signed by the owner & contractor.
2. Submit the "Building Under Construction" EC**.
3. Submit the "Final Construction" EC**.

*     For step 1, contact our Zoning division to receive a copy.
**   For steps 2 & 3, you will need to hire a licensed surveyor.

Click here for the full 2-page copy of "Marion County's Enforcement Procedures for FEMA Elevation Certificates," providing more details for each step.

For questions & assistance with the EC permitting process, call the Zoning division at
352-438-2675.

Why do Permits Matter & How Do I Report Unpermitted Development?

Getting your floodplain development permit(s) will:

• Help ensure public safety & environmental protection.

• Prevent enforcement actions, fines, or project delays.

• Avoid issues with future flood insurance claims.

To report unpermitted & illegal floodplain development, contact our Code Enforcement team at 352-438-8900 or stop by 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

Summary of the Rules for New Construction in the Floodplain

New construction in SFHA must meet these basic requirements:

• Finished floor elevation must be at least one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE) plus freeboard (if applicable).

• Structures must be anchored & built with flood-resistant materials.

• Utilities & HVAC must be elevated or protected from floodwaters.

• Enclosed areas below BFE must be used only for parking, access, or storage & must have proper flood vents.

Substantial Improvement Rules

A substantial improvement is any repair, reconstruction, addition, or improvement to a structure where the cost equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the building (excluding land).

If a structure is substantially improved, it must meet the same flood protection standards as new construction, including elevation & anchoring.

Substantial Damage Rules

If a structure in the SFHA is damaged, by any cause (e.g., flood, fire, wind), & the cost of repair is 50% or more of the market value, it is considered substantially damaged.

Substantially damaged structures must be elevated or brought into compliance with current floodplain regulations.