Answers to Questions About Substantially Improved/Substantially Damaged Buildings (FEMA 213)

The document provides answers to questions about substantially improved/substantially damaged buildings, focusing on how to determine substantial improvement and substantial damage in the context of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and floodplain management regulations. It covers topics such as criteria for excluding costs, the definition of substantial improvement, treatment of historic structures, permit requirements, and grant programs available for mitigation of flood-prone properties. Additionally, it discusses the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE), the Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage, and steps communities can take during the post-disaster period to handle permit applications and inform citizens about the process and requirements.