The city adopted a watershed plan Monday that it says earns a 30% discount on federal flood insurance, up from 25%. FEMA auditors visit Friday, and the higher rating is not yet official.
West Palm Beach homeowners with federal flood insurance could soon pay less. The city says a plan it adopted Monday should raise their premium discount from 25% to 30%.
The City Commission adopted the 2026 Watershed Master Plan on Monday, Nov. 9, eight days after record rain flooded parts of the city. The vote is listed in the city’s approvals and decisions summary for the meeting.
The plan was “the only remaining prerequisite” for the city to improve its federal flood rating, according to the commission agenda. With the plan adopted, the agenda says, the city “will have enough points and meet the prerequisites” for a Class 4 rating and a 30% discount.
The new rating is not final yet. The agenda says FEMA will carry out a recertification audit of the city on Friday, Nov. 13.
How the discount works
The discount comes from FEMA’s Community Rating System, a voluntary program within the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities earn points for flood protection beyond the federal minimum, such as stricter building elevations, open space, updated flood maps and public outreach. More points mean a better class and a bigger discount on premiums.
FEMA’s scale runs from Class 10, with no discount, to Class 1, with 45%. Each class is worth 5%.
- Class 5, now: 25% off. West Palm Beach has held Class 5 since Oct. 1, 2018, according to FEMA’s list of rated communities effective Oct. 1, 2026.
- Class 4, the target: 30% off. It takes 3,000 to 3,499 points on FEMA’s scale.
FEMA says the discount applies to the full-risk premium on all NFIP policies in a participating community, including homes outside the high-risk flood zone. A policy can lose the discount if FEMA finds the building does not comply with the community’s floodplain rules. The discount applies only to NFIP policies. It does not cover private flood insurance.
What the plan covers
The Watershed Master Plan analyzes how flooding could affect the city and gives general guidance on reducing it, according to the agenda. It models flood exposure for today and for the years 2050, 2080 and 2100.
Collective Water Resources LLC prepared the plan from its own analysis. The city’s Development Services, Public Utilities, Engineering and Sustainability departments gave input. The agenda lists no cost to the city for adopting it. The plan itself was not posted with the agenda summary.
How West Palm Beach compares
At Class 4, West Palm Beach would join a short list. Only nine of the 268 Florida communities on FEMA’s October list are rated Class 4 or better. Boynton Beach, about 15 miles south, moved to Class 4 on Oct. 1.
| Community | CRS class | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Boynton Beach | 4 | 30% |
| West Palm Beach | 5 | 25% |
| Unincorporated Palm Beach County | 5 | 25% |
| North Palm Beach | 5 | 25% |
| Royal Palm Beach | 5 | 25% |
| Palm Beach | 6 | 20% |
| Lake Park | 6 | 20% |
| Palm Springs | 6 | 20% |
| Riviera Beach | 8 | 10% |
| Greenacres | 9 | 5% |
| Palm Beach Gardens | 10 | 0% |
Source: FEMA’s Community Rating System list, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
What it means for you
- Nothing changes on your bill yet. The 30% discount depends on FEMA confirming Class 4 after the Nov. 13 audit. The city has not said when a new rating would take effect.
- Check which kind of policy you have. The discount applies to NFIP policies only. Your declarations page or your agent can tell you.
- Homes outside the high-risk zone count too. FEMA applies the discount to every NFIP policy in the city, not only those in mapped flood zones.
- No flood insurance? FEMA says there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new NFIP policy takes effect. You buy one through your home or auto insurance agent, or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627 for help finding a provider.
- Still dealing with damage from the Nov. 1-2 rain? The county’s assistance is in our flood emergency story.
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