Community Rating System

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a program created to recognize and encourage communities to voluntarily adopt regulations and strategies that exceed minimum federal requirements. The program is administered through FEMA to reward participant communities by providing discounted flood insurance premiums to their property owners and tenants who purchase an NFIP policy.

The CRS program provides a Class Rating to participant communities using a complex point system to determine the discount on flood insurance. Points can be earned for a variety of activities intended to reduce flood risks within each community, including Public Information, Mapping and Regulations, Flood Damage Reduction, and Flood Warning and Response.

Class Ratings range from 1 (highest rating with greatest discounts) to 10 (non-CRS participant communities or insufficient points to earn a discount). For each rating level below 10, the community will receive an additional 5-percent discount on NFIP policies. For example, a Class 9 community would allow policyholders to receive a 5% discount. Arlington is a Class 5 community, which allows all property owners and tenants to receive a 25% discount on NFIP policies.

The City of Arlington has Participated in the NFIP since December 31, 1974, and joined the CRS program on October 1, 1991. Since then, the City has continuously expanded efforts to reduce flood risks across the community and earn flood insurance discounts for its residents, property owners, and business owners.