LOMA

A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is FEMA's official determination that a structure or parcel was incorrectly shown inside the Special Flood Hazard Area because it actually sits on natural high ground above the Base Flood Elevation.

Not automatically. A LOMA can change the federal mandatory purchase requirement, but lenders and carriers still control their own decisions and may still require or offer voluntary coverage.

FEMA does not charge a fee to submit a LOMA request. The real cost is the Elevation Certificate, survey, or engineering review needed to support the file, which varies by property and state. If an Elevation Certificate already exists, cost can be very low.

A clean file with complete elevation evidence often clears FEMA review in roughly 30 to 60 days. Incomplete files or cases that need new surveys take longer. A qualifying file can also be submitted through eLOMA by a licensed professional for faster turnaround.

Yes, FEMA accepts LOMA requests directly from property owners through the Online LOMC portal. Most owners still engage a surveyor or engineer because the elevation evidence must be accurate, properly tied to the Base Flood Elevation, and match the lot or structure in question.

A LOMA applies when the property is on natural high ground. A LOMR-F applies when the elevation was achieved by placing earthen fill. Starting a fill case as a LOMA almost always leads to denial or delay.

A final LOMA from FEMA legally removes the federal mandatory-purchase requirement, but individual lenders can still require flood insurance at their discretion. Borrowers should share the LOMA with the lender and confirm in writing what the institution now requires.

Yes. LOMAs can be issued for the structure only, the lot only, or the structure and lot. The correct scope depends on what is actually above the Base Flood Elevation and what the lender or insurance decision needs to cover.