FHA Extends Waiver on New Construction Flood Elevation Requirements

FHA recently announced a one-year extension to its temporary partial regulatory waiver of its new construction flood elevation requirements. 

Originally issued in February 2025, the waiver addresses the Minimum Property Standards that require residential structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas or FEMA-designated coastal high hazard areas to be built with the lowest floor at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation. 

The waiver was originally set to expire on February 21, 2026, but has now been extended through February 19, 2027.  See prior WBK coverage of the waiver.