DEF 8 OctOber 1, 2011
Section 1316. Section of the National Flood Insurance
Act of 1968, as amended, which states that no new
flood insurance coverage shall be provided for any
property that FEMA finds has been declared by a duly
constituted state or local zoning authority or other
authorized public body to be in violation of state or
local laws, regulations, or ordinances that are intended
to discourage or otherwise restrict land development
or occupancy in floodprone areas.
Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) Properties. NFIP-insured
buildings that, on the basis of paid flood losses since
1978, meet either of the loss criteria described in
the SRL section. SRL properties with policy effective
dates of January 1, 2007, and later will be afforded
coverage (new business or renewal) only through
the NFIP Servicing Agent’s Special Direct Facility
(SDF) so that they can be considered for possible
mitigation activities.
Shear Walls. Walls used for structural support but not
structurally joined or enclosed at the ends (except by
breakaway walls). Shear walls are parallel, or nearly
parallel, to the flow of the water and can be used in
any flood zone.
Sheet Flow Hazard. A type of flood hazard with flooding
depths of 1 to 3 feet that occurs in areas of sloping
land. The sheet flow hazard is represented by the zone
designation AO on the FIRM.
Single Adjuster Program. A procedure implemented
among the NFIP, various wind pools, and Write Your
Own (WYO) Companies to allow 1 adjuster to represent
both carriers in adjusting a combined wind-water loss
where the NFIP has the flood coverage and another
carrier has the wind coverage.
Single Building. A building that is separated from other
buildings by intervening clear space or solid, vertical,
load-bearing division walls.
Single-Family Residence. This is a residential single-
family building, or a dwelling unit in a non-residential
condominium building; incidental occupancies are
permitted if limited to less than 50% of the building’s
total floor area. Incidental occupancies are offices,
private schools, studios, or small service operations
within a residential building.
Solid Perimeter Foundation Walls. Walls that are used
as a means of elevating a building in A Zones and
that must contain sufficient openings to allow for the
unimpeded flow of floodwaters more than 1 foot deep.
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). An area having
special flood, mudflow, or flood-related erosion
hazards, and shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map
(FHBM) or Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as Zone
A, AO, A1–A30, AE, A99, AH, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/
AH, AR/AO, AR/A1–A30, V1–V30, VE, or V. For the
purpose of determining Community Rating System
(CRS) premium discounts, all AR and A99 Zones are
treated as non-SFHAs.
Split Level. A foundation with a vertical offset in the
floor framing on either side of a common wall.
Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) – Dwelling
Form. The policy form used to insure a building
designed for use as a residence for no more than 4
families or a single-family unit in a residential building
under a condominium form of ownership. This form is
also used to insure residential contents in any building.
The owner of a residential building with 5 or more units
can use this form to insure contents only in his or her
own residential unit.
Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) – General
Property Form. The policy form used to insure a non-
residential building or a 5-or-more-unit residential
building not eligible for the Residential Condominium
Building Association Policy (RCBAP). This form is also
used to insure non-residential contents in any building
or a building owner’s residential contents located in
multiple units within a building with 5 or more units.
Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) – Residential
Condominium Building Association Policy (RCBAP).
The policy form used to insure a building, owned and
administered as a condominium, containing 1 or more
units and in which at least 75% of the floor area is
residential. The building must be located in a Regular
Program community.
Start of Construction. For other than new construction
or substantial improvements, under the Coastal
Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), this is the date when
the building permit was issued, provided that the
actual start of construction, repair, rehabilitation,
addition, placement, or other improvement was within
180 days of the permit date. The actual start means
either the first placement of permanent construction
of a building on site, such as the pouring of a slab
or footing, the installation of piles, the construction of
columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation;
or the placement of a manufactured (mobile) home on
a foundation. For a substantial improvement, actual
start of construction means the first alteration of any
wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building,
whether or not that alteration affects the external
dimensions of the building.
Stock. Merchandise held in storage or for sale, raw
materials, and in-process or finished goods, including
supplies used in their packing or shipping. “Stock” does
not include any property not covered under “Section IV.
Property Not Covered” of the General Property Form,
except the following:
• Parts and equipment for self-propelled vehicles;