The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a temporary waiver for new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas as part of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requirements. Issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the waiver will be effective through Feb. 21, 2026. The waiver means that elevation standards requiring that the lowest floor of new construction be at least two feet above the base flood elevation will no longer exist.

 

With that, the waiver only applies to FHA-insured mortgages on new single-family construction. This update will allow for less restrictive grading, the potential for increased planting options, reduced need for flood mitigation features, increased focus on drainage and water management, and a greater consideration for future flooding events. Factors to consider however include locational risk factors, local regulations, and prioritizing individual client needs.

According to The National Flood Insurance Program in California, the federal flood insurance policy holders have received over $600 million in claim payments since 1978. The program guide describes how to elevate buildings in flood zones, fill zones and compaction, wind considerations, pools in flood zones, but does not talk about integrating the natural world into the overall site design for erosion control.

In a post by Sence Architects, they talk about how architecture is influenced by the surrounding landscape like topography, vegetation, water features, and natural elements.