FEMA’s 90-day Appeal and Comment Period for the Preliminary Flood Risk Maps is Open Jan. 20, 2026 through April 20, 2026.
If your property has been newly mapped into a flood zone, here is what you need to know about the 90-day appeal and comment period.
FEMA provides communities with Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to identify flood zones and areas at higher risk of flooding. FEMA uses a combination of local and federal flood data to develop preliminary FIRMs and the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS). As a result, a property’s flood zone designation may change. Some properties may be newly classified within a high-risk area, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
If a property is located in an SFHA and has a federally backed mortgage, the lender will require the purchase of flood insurance once the maps are finalized. All properties in a SFHA must also comply with local flood hazard area ordinances for new development.
As part of FEMA’s FIRMs update process, the preliminary maps release includes a 90-day public appeal and comment period from Tuesday, January 20, 2026 through Monday, April 20, 2026. During this time you can appeal changes to a property’s flood risk designation, provide comments on the maps, and ask questions about the updates.
Appeals vs. Comments
- Appeals are a formal written objection to the flood risk data, such as an addition/modification of Base Flood Elevations/Flood Depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries, Zone designations, or regulatory floodway boundaries depicted on the preliminary FIRMs. An appeal must be accompanied by data and documentation, certified by a registered professional engineer or licensed land surveyor, indicating how the proposed new or modified flood hazard information shown on the preliminary FIRMs is scientifically or technically incorrect.
- Comments are for changes to items such as road locations and names, place names, or other base map features.
How to Submit Your Appeal or Comment (Santa Rosa properties)
The 90-day public appeal and comment period begins Tuesday, January 20, 2026 and will remain open through Monday, April 20, 2026. All comments and appeals for Santa Rosa properties must be submitted to the City of Santa Rosa and will be shared directly with FEMA for review. Please note that City staff collecting appeals and comments cannot assist with preparation or provide advice. There are two ways you can submit your appeals and comments:
Email files to City of Santa Rosa at FEMAappeal@srcity.org
Mail hard copies to:
City of Santa Rosa
Planning & Economic Development, Attn: Sheila Wolski, 100 Santa Rosa Ave, Room 3
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
If your property is located in an unincorporated portion of Sonoma County
Submit comments and appeals to the County of Sonoma.
Call 707-565-1900
Email Steve.Snow@sonomacounty.gov
Need Help?
For questions about your appeal or comment, contact FEMA:
Call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or
Email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
FEMA Resources for the Appeal and Comment Process:
Appeals and Comments for Property Owners| Spanish (PDF)
Flood Map Appeal and Adoption Process (Recording)
Required Data and Documentation for an Appeal Video (Recording)
Required Support Data and Documentation for Property Owners (PDF)
Letter of Map Amendment & Letter of Map Revision-Based on Fill Process (Web page)
Community Members’ Guide to Initiating Map Revisions (Web page)