Because Bay Harbor Islands lies entirely in a floodplain, the Town is required to have floodplain management ordinances. These ordinances, which were adopted in 1993 and subsequently updated in 2009, allow the Town to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Town’s participation in the NFIP enables property owners to obtain flood insurance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that incorporated municipalities in Miami- Dade County should be considered separately to insure better compliance with NFIP regulations.
Additionally, the Town has applied for and received classification in the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS). As a result of the Town’s participation in the CRS and its efforts to achieve higher ratings, residents may be able to see a discount in flood insurance premiums. You can help our standing in this program by providing the Town’s Building Department with a flood elevation certificate for your property.