New Proposal to Reduce the 10 Year Cap on Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement to 1 Year (1/22/2022)

At the next Mayor/City Council meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, February 14th, the City is expected to vote on a proposal to reduce the 10 year cumulative cap on renovations, repairs and maintenance to 1 year. The proposal was originally sponsored by Council Members Williams and Saliba. Click here for a copy.

Currently, the City bans renovation, repairs and even maintenance of homes in the floodplain if, over the last 10 years, more than 50% of the value of the home has been spent on any form of construction, improvements, or repairs. This is 50% of the edifice, not the land. Once the 50% cap is reached, the homeowner must first bring the property into compliance with all new City building rules, regardless of cost, before making repairs. For years, the City has claimed that this was a FEMA rule. Due to the work of LBCA member, Joe Kelly, we were able to show this was not true, that the 10 year standard was a City creation. And, Joe also was able to demonstrate that fixing this mistake would have no negative impact on flood insurance rates.

If the proposal is adopted, the 10 year cumulative cap will be reduced to 1 year. Lewes Beach property owners will again be free to renovate, repair and maintain their homes the same as Lewes property owners outside the floodplain. Rental properties can be repaired and maintained without worrying about the cap. And, the economic pressure the current cap places on the multi-generational homes and cottages that provide so much charm to our community will be reduced.

This proposal was introduced specifically because of LBCA members and if it passes, it will mark the first time in recent memory that the City has passed an ordinance that protects not penalizes homeowners on Lewes Beach.