Why doesn’t the City form assessment districts to fund completion of all flood related projects?
Flood control operations such as the ones financed by an assessment district provide special benefits. Flood control infrastructure protects particular identifiable parcels from flood damage, and the benefits are provided directly to those parcels and to none other. This means that an assessment can only be levied onto those properties which benefit directly from the improvements.

In the case of the South Bayfront Levee Improvements, the project cost of $7.5M was spread over the 8,000 parcels that receive the direct benefit of protection from tidal flooding, resulting in a relatively low cost per owner.

The remaining flood improvement projects in other areas of the City are relatively more expensive when considering the number of property owners who would share the burden. This makes the formation of additional assessment districts unpractical and in some areas would cost more than flood insurance.

Show All Answers

1. What is the National Flood Insurance Program?
2. What is the "new" FEMA map?
3. How do I obtain a copy of the flood hazard map for the City of San Mateo?
4. Why do I need to purchase insurance if there has never been a flood in the neighborhood?
5. Why is purchasing flood insurance important to homeowners?
6. Is flood insurance required for all structures in the floodplain?
7. What is the difference between tidal flooding and stormwater/residual flooding?
8. What other projects are needed to get my neighborhood out of the flood zone?
9. What is the City doing to help residents stuck in the flood zone?
10. Why doesn’t the City form assessment districts to fund completion of all flood related projects?
11. How do I purchase a flood insurance policy?
12. How are flood insurance premium rates calculated?
13. If my agent has questions where should he/she call?
14. What processes are available for changing or correcting the information shown on the flood hazard map when large areas of a community are affected?
15. Why is the burden of proof placed on the community or person that requests a map change?
16. What can homeowners do if they believe their homes should not be included in an SFHA?
17. Under what circumstances will FEMA waive the review and processing fee for a map change request?
18. Where can I learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program?
19. Why did a lien show up on the property report in February 2020?
20. How do I obtain a flood elevation certificate for my property?