Prior to purchasing a property, refinancing for a new bank loan, or applying for a permit to build a new home or structure, it is wise to inquire whether or not you are “in a floodplain”. The basis for our determinations is provided on the FEMA maps, or FIRMS (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) The FIRMS are designed to show the “100 year floodplains” and were originally used primarily for flood insurance. Now they are the chief tool we use to provide the best available flood potential information in a geographical area of the County. A staff member will look up your parcel or address location and carefully examine both the location of the parcel as well as any structures in proximity to the floodplain. We will tell you what flood zone you are in (A, AO, AE, D, B or X) and will let you know of any building restrictions or elevation requirements you might need to plan on.

If you are in a floodplain and are planning to build, you will be required to provide an Elevation Certificate upon completion of the home construction. If you are installing a conventional home, the elevation certificate which is completed by a registered land surveyor or engineer will prove that the lowest floor of the home has been elevated to the height required to protect you from a 100 year flood. If you are installing a manufactured home, the bottom of the frame of the home will be measured and is considered the determining factor in floodplain compliancy. In either case, before the power can be delivered to the home, an Elevation Certificate must be completed and turned into the Floodplain Administrator for review. If the home is compliant and has met the floodplain building requirements, the owner is provided electrical service and a certificate of occupancy if applicable. Pinal County does not prevent construction in floodplains, but manages this construction very carefully to make sure that no building causes any other property owners harm from upstream or downstream flow changes. It is not just the new builder who must prudently build, but must also view the affects of his building on the rest of the floodplain.