Note: While this grant program is administered by the Planning Dept., Floodplain Management is administered by the Fire Dept.'s Community Risk Management Division. 

The City of La Crosse’s Floodplain Relief Program helps property owners reduce their risk of flooding and reduce their flood insurance costs. These grants may assist with:

1. Removing structures from the 100-year floodplain (areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event.
2. Filling in basements that have been damaged by groundwater flooding.
3. Bringing noncompliant floodplain structures into compliance.
4. Relocation of utilities and/or addition of a utility closet.

Grants can be applied toward engineering, design, earthwork, structure relocation, foundation improvements, other construction requirements, and the application and supporting work and documentation necessary to apply for a Letter of Map Revision-Based on Fill (LOMR-F) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Who is eligible?

Property owners within La Crosse's city limits, including residential property owners, businesses, non-profit organizations, state agencies, and educational institutions with all or a portion of their property located in the 100-year floodplain are eligible. Tenants and others not having direct financial ownership or interest are not eligible. Scroll down for detailed eligibility requirements.

What activities does this program fund?

All activities included below are eligible when the effect is the removal of property improvements from the Special Flood Hazard Area resulting in a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Revision:

• Earthwork
• Foundation and structure improvements including fill
• Electrical, plumbing, utility and HVAC improvements when necessary due to other eligible activities
• Relocations of utilities and/or addition of a utility closet
• Raising or elevating structures
• Demolition or razing
• Survey work, elevation certificates
• Consultant assistance for the application of a LOMA or LOMR
• Landscaping, retaining walls, paving as needed to repair or replace any components removed or damaged y the site work.
• Reimbursement for temporary relocation accommodations arranged through the City.

How much funding is available?

The City of La Crosse offers this program annually and conditionally pending City Council annual Capital Improvement Appropriations.  Applicants may qualify for other municipal funding programs to supplement this grant.

Funding is available for applicants wishing to elevate or improve structures in the floodplain when work results in a successful Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). Applicants may apply for 90% of eligible engineering/surveying and consulting work resulting in a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and for eligible construction costs for flood improvements resulting in a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). The total available to each applicant per property for engineering/consulting and construction is $40,000.

If the difference between the base flood elevation (BFE) and lowest adjacent grade is more than 3 feet, applicants are required to coordinate improvements with neighboring properties to mitigate negative stormwater and aesthetic impacts on neighboring properties.  The Floodplain Inventory Map shows approximate elevations.

City responsibilities

The City of La Crosse is offering 90% toward preliminary engineering and 90% toward construction reimbursement up to a total of $40,000 per parcel to eligible applicants with improvement costs that result in compliance with the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, potentially mitigating the costs of high-risk flood insurance.  The City and its agents shall not be held liable or responsible for the actual construction or construction contract administration which is the sole responsibility of the property owner.

Key information

This program assumes the professional advisement of CLOMR-F or LOMR-F feasibility is done by the property owner’s private consultant, understanding the City’s role is regulatory. To better serve residents, this program offers funding for CLOMR engineering/consulting work. FEMA’s “Guide to 6 Ways to Retrofit Your Home” is the reference document used in this program. 

The City’s floodplain manager will be available for questions from homeowners and private consultants but must maintain autonomy in the regulatory role due to potential conflict of interest in doing both design and approval work. 

Eligibility requirements

1. Geographic location. Property must be in the 1% annual chance flood zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) in La Crosse's city limits.  Sources of funding apply to different areas of floodplain: city wide and within 1/2 mile of Tax Increment Finance District 13 - Kwik Trip (map with 1/2-mile buffer)
2. Flood protection feasibility. Property must undergo a preliminary feasibility analysis by a qualified professional engineer capable of assessing the ability for improvements to remove the structure, structures, and land from the 1% annual chance flood zone resulting in LOMR eligibility. 
3. Current flood insurance and need for relief. Applicants must demonstrate a need for flood insurance relief or a demonstrated impediment in the property's marketability due to flood insurance or flood protection improvement needs. 
4. Impact on neighbors and neighborhood. The applicant’s plans must not have a detrimental effect on neighboring property or the neighborhood for stormwater, aesthetics, structural integrity, and release of funding will require a signed approval from adjacent property owners on both sides of the property to be elevated or improved. 
5. Tax implications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisor on the implications of receiving grant funding through this program, including but not limited to income tax liability and the income thresholds of the Affordable Care Act.

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