Planning staff recommends code edits to align Pasco County flood rules with state statute

Bridal Juncker, planning department staff, presented PD26‑0475 — an ordinance amending Pasco County’s Land Development Code (flood damage prevention appendix and related sections) to align local definitions with Florida Statute 163.31795 and the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Juncker said the amendment corrects a Scrivener error and updates the substantial‑damage percentage from 50% to 49%, consistent with the 2022 statutory amendment, and removes local language referencing cumulative cost periods that the state statute no longer permits.

Juncker told commissioners the changes will not affect the county’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program or its CRS rating and that staff recommends accepting public comment, finding the amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan and forwarding the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. The commission recorded a motion and second to approve the item and no members of the public offered comment on the ordinance in the meeting record.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board for final action; staff said the ordinance includes standard severability and effective‑date provisions and is intended to provide internal consistency within the land development code.