3/10/23 @ 9:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage.

DAY FIVE: BUILD RESPONSIBLY
Build responsibly. Avoid building in floodplains. Before you build, find out what the regulations are and what permits are required. Be aware of substantial improvement rules, which are there to correct structures built before regulations and flood mapping. These apply when a structure is below a known base flood elevation plus freeboard.

​For more information, visit https://library.municode.com/fl/nassau_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORNACOFL_CH10_1-2FLMA

3/9/23 @ 9:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage.

DAY FOUR: PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
Protect your property from flood hazards. Insurance is your first level of protection. Other methods include installing flood vents where appropriate or raising electrical system components. For more information on how to protect your property, visit: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/know-your-risk/homeowners-renters  

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/8/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - Stay safe. Intense or excessive rainfall can overtop canals and ditches, flooding streets. Remember to turn around, don't drown! Driving through flooded streets can stall your car and cause wave action to move structures along the road. 

Prepare ahead and make a flood emergency plan today. Visit the National Water Service page dedicated to this topic. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/7/23 @ 9:15 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage.

DAY TWO: FLOOD INSURANCE
Flood insurance is available to everyone, regardless of whether you rent, own or have a business, and it's even available if you are not in mapped floodplain. 

Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both. It's up to you to ensure you have a policy in place to protect your assets. 

Learn more at ​www.fema.gov/flood-insurance.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/3/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - At the Monday, February 27th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-012, proclaiming the second week in March as Flood Awareness Week. This week has also been designated by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies. 

Nassau County is a voluntary member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through purchase of flood insurance at discounted rates. As part of the NFIP, the Community Rating System Program recognizes counties that undertake floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum floodplain requirements.

Since joining the NFIP in May 2017, Nassau County has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for additional premium reductions for property owners in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County. In order to improve ratings, the County has increased its efforts to provide information to the community by maintaining flood maps, improving flood regulations, and ensuring flood preparedness. These efforts paid off greatly because in October 2022, Nassau County was able to increase its rating from a Class 8 which allowed residents to enjoy a 10% discount to a Class 7, allowing residents to enjoy a 15% discount!

​A lot of credit is given to Nassau County's CRS Coordinator, Naomi Braff, as she works tirelessly to engage in CRS credited activities and is committed to floodplain management. We appreciate Naomi and all she does for Nassau County and its residents. 

Stay tuned next week during Flood Awareness Week as we provide you with daily tips to protect yourselves and your property from flood damage.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

12/20/22 @ 2:30 p.m. - The Nassau County Building Department is seeking one (1) public service volunteer to fill a vacancy on the Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals. 

The purpose of this Board is to hear and decide on appeals of decisions and code interpretations made by the Building Official and the Fire Official relating to the Florida Building Codes, National Electric Codes, Fire Codes and the Unsafe Building Abatement Ordinance.

To be considered, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Have a construction related occupation (general contracting, residential contracting, and building contracting to include sub-contracting such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc.)
• Be a resident of Nassau County
• Cannot be a current Nassau County employee

The Board tentatively meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6pm, unless there are no cases to be heard. Members serve 2 year terms and are required to file financial disclosure annually. Members do not receive compensation for their time and/or travel expenses. 

If you are interested in serving, please submit a resume with a cover letter expressing your desire to serve by the close of business on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. The resume should include your name, homes address, phone number, and a current email address. Submit your cover letter and resume to: 

Nassau County Building Department
Attn: Keith Ellis, Building Official
96161 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
Email: Kellis@nassaucountyfl.com. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Building Department at (904) 530-6250.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

10/5/22 @ 10:15 a.m.

​The Board is excited to announce that the County has once again received an improvement in its Classification in the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Nassau County joined the program in May 2017 and since that time has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for a reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners within the unincorporated areas of the County.

Flood insurance premiums are set nationally based on the age of structure, building materials and level of risk. However, communities that volunteer to adopt and enforce stricter ordinances, known as “Higher Standards,” to reduce flood risk can enroll in the CRS Program to earn insurance premium discounts for their residents.

In order to maintain and/or improve CRS Ratings, the County earns “credits” for its efforts in providing information to the public, maintaining current flood maps, improving flood regulations to reduce the possibility of flood damage, and ensuring flood preparedness. Based on total credits earned, communities are assigned a CRS Classification which determines the percentage of discounts given to property owners.
Nassau County’s previous CRS Rating was a Class 8 which allowed County residents to enjoy a 10% premium reduction for flood insurance with an overall cost savings of $176,000 for the residents. However, during the most recent cycle verification, the County was notified that its efforts have now achieved enough points to move them to a Class 7 CRS Rating, allowing residents to benefit from a 15% premium reduction with an overall cost savings of $232,000 to property owners with a flood insurance policy.

County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “With the threat of increase to property insurance premiums throughout the country, the Board is happy to do what it can to provide relief to property owners within Nassau County. Special acknowledgment is given to our floodplain experts in the County’s Building and Planning Departments who work year-round to provide flood information to the public through community outreach events and to conduct other initiatives to increase its credits. We also appreciate the guidance provided by our consultants of Oceania Flood Services. Thanks to all their hard work, our residents will continue to enjoy reduced flood insurance premiums. We will continue these efforts in hopes to improve our rating again during the next cycle verification.”

For information on the CRS Program, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/community-rating-system.

8/22/22 @ 4:50 p.m. - Please be advised that the meeting of the Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals previously advertised for Wednesday, August 24th at 6pm, HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Attached is the original ad for informational purposes. 

The next meeting of the Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals will take place on Thursday, September 8th at 6pm. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Building Department at (904) 530-6250.

6/1/22 @ 10:30 a.m. -

The Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals hears and decides on appeals of decisions and code interpretations made by the Building Official or Fire Official relating to the Florida Building Codes, National Electric Code, Fire Codes, and the Unsafe Building Abatement Ordinance.

The Board is made up of 7 members as follows:

• One (1) member with background in a fire-related occupation and knowledge of the Codes.
• Three (3) members with background in a construction-related occupation (general contracting), including sub-contracting (mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc.)
• One (1) member with background in architecture
• Two (2) members from any occupational background

 
The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a volunteer with a background in architecture to fill a vacancy on the Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals. In order to be considered, you must be a Nassau County resident and cannot be a current County employee. Members do not receive any compensation for their time. The Board tentatively meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6pm, unless there are no cases to be heard.

If you have a background in architecture, reside in Nassau County and would be willing to serve, please submit a resume to Christina Marsh at cmarsh@nassaucountyfl.com by the close of business on Friday, June 17, 2022. If you have any questions, Ms. Marsh can be reached by phone at (904) 530-6250.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer