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Hillsborough County launches new FEMA 50% rule resources

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Published  December 23, 2024 4:29pm EST
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

Resources for Hillsborough residents still impacted by hurricanes

Ariel Plasencia reports

The Brief

    • New resources are available for Hillsborough County residents who want more information about FEMA's 50% Rule.
    • The county says they are in the process of sending out assessment letters.
    • Homeowners can calculate their home’s market value by using the 50% improvement calculator on the county property appraiser's website.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County officials launched new online resources for residents looking for more information about the FEMA 50% Rule.

"We understand this is really hard for all the residents, especially for the residents getting flooded this year," said Jie Gao, the county’s stormwater engineering services section manager.

Hurricane flooding and damage.

The county recently posted a new video, which explains that if the cost to repair your house is more than half of its market value, it’s considered ‘substantially damaged’ and therefore, must be brought up to code and floodplain requirements. Known as the FEMA 50% Rule, this can mean the resident may be required to elevate, relocate, or demolish the home.

As of Monday, the county said it was still in the process of sending out damage assessment letters, which will tell residents if the county suspects FEMA’s 50% Rule applies to them.

READ: Hillsborough Co. State of Emergency extended after Hurricane Milton

But, homeowners can go ahead and calculate their home’s market value themselves by using the 50% improvement calculator on the Hillsborough County property appraiser's website. In the website’s top left corner, click ‘Home’ and then ‘FEMA 50% Rule’ in the dropdown menu.

Hurricane flooding and damage.

As you’re crunching the numbers for all your repairs – including ones you did yourself – eligible residents are also asked to organize those costs for the county, too, by completing the Substantial Damage Packet.

"We can review and help the residents to determine whether they are equal or above the 50% Rule or not," Gao said.

Knowing that this is a multistep process, the county also posted a flow chart, explaining when and how to get permits for repair work if your home does end up meeting the substantial damage criteria and, therefore, FEMA’s 50% Rule.

"We're here as a county to work together with residents to help them," Gao said.

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