FEMA recently issued revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Santa Barbara County. These maps, which took effect on 9/28/18, show areas that are considered to be in a floodplain, and therefore may require homeowners to obtain flood insurance.
The map release, which includes a regular FEMA map update and an earlier Letter of Map Change (LOMC), has added a total of approximately 198 parcels to the Special Flood Hazard Area ("100-yr flooplain"); this is considered the high-risk flood zone. The map release has also removed approximately 472 parcels from that high-risk zone.
Prospective home buyers are advised to check with their insurance agent to see if specific property's flood zone designation, and insurance requirements, will be affected by the map changes.