Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities can reduce policyholders' premiums by participating in the Community Rating System (CRS) program. The program awards points to communities that implement flood protection policies beyond minimum NFIP participation requirements.
Communities in CRS receive a rating based on the number of points they receive for eligible activities. Points are awarded to communities for various activities that improve the effectiveness of their floodplain management programs and reduce the risk of flood damage. Points may be awarded for activities such as citizen-education programs, preserving open space in the floodplain, requiring higher construction standards and enforcing stormwater regulations. Lower ratings have higher NFIP policy discounts. These discounts apply to NFIP policies in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and some policies located outside of an SFHA.
If you have questions about your community’s CRS participation or want your community to join CRS, contact your local CRS coordinator or local floodplain administrator.
| Class | Points | SFHA | Non-SFHA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4,500 | 45% | 10% |
| 2 | 4,000 | 40% | 10% |
| 3 | 3,500 | 35% | 10% |
| 4 | 3,000 | 30% | 10% |
| 5 | 2,500 | 25% | 10% |
| 6 | 2,000 | 20% | 10% |
| 7 | 1,500 | 15% | 5% |
| 8 | 1,000 | 10% | 5% |
| 9 | 500 | 5% | 5% |
| 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In Virginia, 29 communities participate in the CRS program. Although this is 10% of the 292 NFIP communities in Virginia, 67% of all flood insurance policies in Virginia are written in CRS communities. This amounts to a total statewide savings of nearly $7 million annually for over 62,000 policyholders. Nationally, CRS communities represent about 7% of all NFIP communities and about 69% of all flood insurance policies written (source: FEMA CRS Fact Sheet).
Communities listed below participate in the CRS. The CRS class and associated policy discount are also shown.
| Community | CRS Class | Policy Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Accomack County | 5 | 25% |
| City of Alexandria | 6 | 20% |
| Arlington County | 8 | 10% |
| Town of Ashland | 8 | 5% |
| Town of Bridgewater | 8 | 10% |
| Town of Cape Charles | 8 | 10% |
| City of Chesapeake | 7 | 15% |
| Town of Chincoteague | 8 | 10% |
| Fairfax County | 6 | 20% |
| City of Falls Church | 7 | 15% |
| City of Franklin | 9 | 5% |
| Gloucester County | 5 | 25% |
| City of Hampton | 7 | 15% |
| James City County | 5 | 25% |
| City of Newport News | 7 | 15% |
| City of Norfolk | 5 | 25% |
| City of Poquoson | 8 | 10% |
| City of Portsmouth | 7 | 15% |
| Prince William County | 6 | 20% |
| City of Richmond | 8 | 10% |
| City of Roanoke | 6 | 20% |
| Roanoke County | 8 | 10% |
| Stafford County | 6 | 20% |
| Town of Vienna | 8 | 10% |
| Town of Vinton | 8 | 10% |
| City of Virginia Beach | 7 | 15% |
| Town of Wachapreague | 8 | 10% |
| Warren County | 9 | 5% |
| York County | 7 | 15% |
CRS Users Groups are active communities that meet regularly to provide a forum about CRS and floodplain management issues. Meetings often include informative presentations and group discussions meant to transfer knowledge and troubleshoot floodplain management issues. Non-participating communities often attend these meetings to ask questions and learn from the discussions and presentations. A list of CRS Users Groups, organized by state, is available on the CRS Resources page.
DCR provides leadership, training and technical assistance to communities to encourage CRS participation. For information about joining or ideas to work towards a better CRS class, contact the DCR Floodplain team.
