The City of Ithaca is preparing to adopt new federal flood maps that could reshape insurance requirements and building permits for properties across the city. The updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are scheduled to take effect June 18.
To remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Ithaca must revise Local Law Chapter 186 on Flood Damage Prevention. Participation in the NFIP allows residents to purchase federally backed flood insurance and access federal disaster assistance and development grants.
A public hearing is set for April 16 at City Hall, and the Common Council is scheduled to vote on the new law on May 7. If the city fails to adopt the maps by the deadline, residents and property owners could face severe consequences, including the loss of access to federal disaster aid, insurance renewals, and housing loans from agencies like HUD and the VA.
City and county officials have set up online resources to guide residents through the changes. Tompkins County plans to update its website with more information in the coming weeks. FEMA recommends all property owners and renters explore their flood insurance options, including contents-only policies for tenants.
The new FIRMs define areas at risk of a 100-year flood and will affect construction permits for new buildings or major renovations. Going forward, floodplain development permits will be required through the city’s Building Division.
Officials say the maps were developed using conservative estimates. “A recent engineering analysis has revealed several assumptions used by FEMA to develop the FIRMs that City Planning and Public Works officials believe are overly conservative,” the city’s statement said. Ithaca is now completing a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to address those concerns before implementing further mitigation designs.
The city has studied flood risks and mitigation strategies since 2015 and received FEMA funding in 2024 to design future projects. Staff are also analyzing FEMA’s Community Rating System, which could offer insurance discounts based on local flood preparedness. A presentation on the topic, given April 9, is available on the city’s YouTube channel.
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