Community Rating System (CRS)
Extending Assistance & Education
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a part of the NFIP. Local governments participating in the CRS go beyond the minimum standards for floodplain management.
By performing tasks and services that further reduce the effects of the flooding hazard, these communities are rewarded with discounts on flood insurance premiums for residents and businesses. These activities include providing information to citizens on how to protect your home and property from flooding, maintaining the City's drainage system and providing site specific information to the homeowner about issues which may impact their property.
Ordinance & Regulations
In 1977 the City adopted a Flood Damage Control Ordinance and has updated it periodically over the years. These regulations are a part of Pinellas Park's Land Development Code. The ordinance establishes construction standards for both residential and nonresidential structures, depending on their location within the City. For example, if a structure is proposed to be built in a zone subject to flooding, then the building must be built so that the first floor is above the base flood elevation. This elevation information is located on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), which residents can view at the Community Planning Offices, Public Library, or on line at the NFIP Map Service Center.
Flood Smart
To learn more about flooding and protecting your property and yourself visit Floodsmart.gov.
Goals
The Community Rating System (CRS) is an incentive program that encourages communities to adopt floodplain management activities exceeding the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. CRS has three goals, which are:
- Reduce flood losses
- Facilitate accurate insurance ratings
- Promote the awareness of flood insurance
Discounts
In return for a community’s adoption of standards that go above and beyond the minimum NFIP requirements, flood insurance premium rates for residents within the participating community are discounted. The discounts are designed to reflect the reduced flood risk to property owners resulting from the community’s floodplain management activities, and the amount of the discount varies according to the community’s level of effort.