Relocating Existing Structures

Moving structures away from shorelines can greatly reduce risks, not only to that structure, but to a community’s infrastructure and to first responders. Large, historic buildings have been successfully protected this way. For more information, see an engineer experienced with the structure relocation. For potential funding sources, see the funding page.

The StormSmart Coasts program will be working to develop guidance and promote funding sources for relocating at-risk structures in the coastal floodplain.


* Your community needs only 500 points to qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information (including how to apply for the CRS program), see our Community Rating System (CRS) primer.

Notes from the folks at CRS:

“The surest way to protect a building from flood damage is to remove it from the floodplain. Credit is provided for removing the building from the floodplain as long as the community can document that the property will stay vacant.”