New HUD 2-Foot Freeboard Requirement - Mile High Flood District

November 5, 2024

This blog post covers information about the new HUD 2-foot Freeboard requirement.

Read on for a brief introduction to learn how this rule may affect you and see the compilation of resources at the end to dive deeper.

The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) is a government program aimed at increasing the resilience of infrastructure to flooding. A key aspect of the program is a new rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that requires all new structures in floodplains to be elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation in order to be eligible for an FHA loan. This regulation is significant because approximately 26% of mortgages in the United States are FHA loans, with first-time home buyers making up a large portion of this demographic. The rule, which takes effect in 2025, will have a lasting impact on all structures built after its implementation.

What?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) passed a rule that will require the lowest floor of certain residential properties to be at least two feet above base flood elevation (BFE) in order to receive federally-backed mortgage insurance.

Who?

Properties Affected: