Cape Coral flood zone lookup, map and insurance discount
Look up a Cape Coral address on the city's Flood Risk Information Portal, which shows the flood zone, Base Flood Elevation and any elevation certificate on file. Cape Coral's current FEMA maps took effect on November 17, 2022, and most of the city is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The city is CRS Class 5: 25% off NFIP premiums in A and V zones, 10% in X zones.
How to look up a Cape Coral flood zone
- Flood Risk Information PortalEnter an address to see the flood zone, Base Flood Elevation (BFE), Design Flood Elevation and existing elevation certificates.
- CAPEIMS GIS mapSearch by address or owner, turn on the "Flood Zones (Firm)" layer, then click the property.
- Elevation certificate searchCity records of existing certificates.
All three come from the city's Flood Protection & Information page. The city's map lookups are informational: they may not reflect every FEMA Letter of Map Change, and the official map is on FEMA's Map Service Center (City of Cape Coral).
What zones apply in Cape Coral
New Flood Insurance Rate Maps became effective on November 17, 2022. The city says most residents live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (V and A zones), and that X zones are outside it but still flood: "Twenty-five percent of flooding occurs outside areas formally designated as being flood-prone" (City of Cape Coral). Lee County notes that the 2022 map changes were concentrated on the barrier islands and along the Caloosahatchee and connected waterways, and that the maps added Coastal A zones and a LiMWA line (Lee County). For what each letter means, see what flood zone am I in?
Flood insurance discount
Cape Coral joined FEMA's Community Rating System in 1991 and reached Class 5 in 2010. According to the city:
| Zone | NFIP discount |
|---|---|
| A, AE and V zones | 25% |
| X zones | 10% |
Your policy should show the city's community ID, 125095 (City of Cape Coral).
Elevation certificates
Search the portal before paying for a new survey. The city notes that "buildings constructed prior to 1993 may not have an Elevation Certificate on file"; in that case, hire a licensed surveyor (City of Cape Coral). A certificate is optional for NFIP insurance, but more detailed first-floor height information can lower the premium (FEMA).
The 50% rule and building in the flood zone
- Substantial damage or improvement: if repairs or improvements cost 50% or more of the structure's market value, the building must meet current flood construction rules. Details are in Article 9 of the city's Land Development Code (City of Cape Coral).
- Freeboard: the city's design flood elevation is BFE plus 1 foot.
- No dry floodproofing for homes: the city allows dry floodproofing only for commercial buildings and never in VE zones. Removable flood panels are a different thing; see Cape Coral flood protection on FloodProtection.now.
- Permits: repairs and retrofits in regulated flood zones need a permit from the Building Division.
Who to call
| Question | Contact |
|---|---|
| Flood risk, flood zones, mitigation | Floodplain staff, (239) 574-0611 |
| Building permits | Building Division, (239) 574-0546 |
| Map lookup questions | Planning Division, (239) 573-3160 |
Sources: City of Cape Coral, CAPEIMS lookup.
Cape Coral evacuation zones are part of Lee County's A to E zone system. See Lee County evacuation zones.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find my flood zone in Cape Coral?
- Enter your address in the City of Cape Coral Flood Risk Information Portal (capecoralfl.withforerunner.com). It shows the flood zone, Base Flood Elevation and Design Flood Elevation. The city's CAPEIMS GIS map also has a flood zone layer.
- Is most of Cape Coral in a flood zone?
- Yes. The City of Cape Coral says most residents live in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which includes V and A zones.
- What flood insurance discount does Cape Coral get?
- Cape Coral has been a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System since 2010. Policyholders in A, AE and V zones get 25% off and X-zone policyholders get 10%, according to the city.
- Does my Cape Coral home have an elevation certificate?
- Check the city's Flood Risk Information Portal or its certificate search. The city notes that buildings constructed before 1993 may not have an elevation certificate on file; a licensed surveyor can prepare one.