Appendix K
Formats and Specifications for Flood Maps
Mapping Partners are to use this Appendix as a guide for the production and use of Flood 
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).  It sets forth specifications for the graphic elements that are 
shown on the FIRMs, including the mapping format representation, presentation of base map 
information, map frame sizing, legend, title block and notes to user appearance, and presentation 
of flood hazard information.  It also addresses the specifications for the FIRM Map Index, Flood 
Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) Map Index and all Preliminary and Final map 
deliverables.  
*NOTE: FEMA recognizes that not all Computer-Assisted Drafting and Design software support 
identical font styles.  Therefore, the font specifications listed throughout this Appendix are to be 
used as a starting reference point only; any font herein that cannot be matched shall be emulated 
as closely as possible using True Type fonts, with consideration given to space constraints and 
the overall presentation of the finished product.
[February 2002]
K.1	Mapping Methods and Formats
There are two methods of FIRM production- Digital and Manual.  There are several distinct 
classifications of FIRM formats.  These are Map Initiatives, Partial Map Initiatives, Countywide, 
Single-Jurisdiction, FIRM/Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report Combination, and Standard 
(separate FIRM and FBFM).  Many of these methods and formats can be mixed and 
interchanged, as with a Digital Partial Map Initiatives FIRM.
[February 2002]
K.1.1	Digital Method 
The assigned Mapping Partner shall produce Digital FIRMs whenever possible for new FIRMs 
and for revisions of existing FIRMs.  Manual (non-digital) techniques shall be employed in 
FIRM production only when it is more cost effective to do so and when there is not a specific 
request from the FEMA Regional office to convert the FIRM to digital format.  
[February 2002]
K.1.2	Manual Method
The word "manual" refers to the standard color separation techniques primarily used in the 
1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s for FIRM production.  Other factors may also influence the 
conversion of a manual cartographic FIRM to a digital FIRM such as a community's ability and 
desire to use a digital product and the availability of digital base maps.
It is important to note that when processing the revision of an existing FIRM manually, the 
assigned Mapping Partner must maintain the appearance of the existing FIRM by emulating all 
fonts, line weights, line styles, and screens.  The specifications found in the Guidelines and 
Specifications for Flood Map Production Coordination Contractors, Appendix B, dated February 
17, 1999, shall serve as guidance.  Additionally, Mapping Partners performing manual revisions 
shall remove Elevation Reference Marks shown on the panels and identify the locations of bench 
marks within the community.  See Volume 1, Section 1.4 for a discussion of bench mark 
selection.
[February 2002]
K.1.3	Map Initiatives Format
The assigned Mapping Partner shall produce all FIRM creations and revisions in the Map 
Initiatives format whereby the information formerly shown separately on the FIRM and FBFM 
are combined and shown on the FIRM. The Map Repository address shall be added to the FIRM 
Index and in the legend of the panels that have been updated to the Map Initiatives format.  If a 
full conversion to the Map Initiatives format cannot be justified, the Partial Map Initiatives 
format should be used.
[February 2002]
K.1.4	Partial Map Initiatives Format
The assigned Mapping Partner shall use the Partial Map Initiatives format for revisions of 
Standard format FIRMs that do not affect the majority of the FIRM panels. The Partial Map 
Initiatives format combines all flood hazard information to be shown on the revised FIRM 
panels, thereby eliminating specific FBFM panels.  The Partial Map Initiatives format should 
only be chosen for a revision that is not large enough to justify converting the entire community 
FIRM to Map Initiatives or Countywide format.  An example of this would be a 10-panel 
Standard format community FIRM requiring a revision of two panels.  In this case, the assigned 
Mapping Partner would revise the two affected panels in the Map Initiatives format and 
eliminate the corresponding FBFM panels.  
When the Partial Map Initiatives option is chosen, the assigned Mapping Partner shall include 
special paragraphs to explain the mixed format in the FIS Report.  The specifics of this are 
detailed in Appendix J of these Guidelines. Because the Partial Map Initiatives format often 
requires the FBFM Index to be reprinted, this appendix includes notes to be used for FBFM 
Index revisions (see Section K.3.1).  These notes explain the elimination of FBFM panels.  As 
with Map Initiative format, the Map Repository Address shall be added to the FIRM panels and 
Index. 
[February 2002]
K.1.5	Countywide Map Format
FIRMs will often be prepared in the FEMA Countywide format, whereby all jurisdictions within 
a given county are shown on one set of map panels.  The assigned Mapping Partner shall prepare 
new Countywide FIRMs in Map Initiatives format using digital production techniques.  FEMA 
encourages the use of community- or county-supplied digital base maps for the production of 
countywide FIRMs; therefore, each base map supplied for this purpose will have its own unique 
specifications and appearance.  The assigned Mapping Partner shall focus on the intent of the 
presentation and make every effort to conform to the standard base map specifications presented 
in Subsection K.4.1.  A digital base map supplied by a community may contain unique graphic 
specifications, such as the portrayal of road centerlines or edge of pavement. The assigned 
Mapping Partner shall make changes to a digital base map only to facilitate map presentation, 
ease of use, or internal consistency in base map features; the assigned Mapping Partner shall 
coordinate these changes with the community that provided the data.  Any significant deviations 
from the format presented in these Guidelines must be coordinated with the FEMA Lead or other 
designated FEMA staff. 
There are several additional points to consider when creating a Countywide FIRM:
*	Countywide mapping must provide seamless coverage within the entire county area.  Any 
mismatches in floodplains, flood hazard information, base map information, etc., that 
previously existed between communities must be resolved.
*	To ensure seamless coverage, portrayal of floodplains, Flood Profile and Floodway Data 
table information should be continuous for the length of the flooding sources.  With that, the 
cross-section information must be re-lettered sequentially for the length of the detailed 
flooding sources.
[February 2002]
K.1.6	Multiple-County Communities
When processing a countywide FIRM that contains a multiple-county community, the assigned 
Mapping Partner shall select from one of the three options listed in order of preference- retain the 
subject community-based FIRM (and revise if necessary) as indicated in Option 1 below, or 
superseded the community-based FIRM as indicated in Options 2 or 3 below.  Seamless mapping 
coverage between all affected jurisdictions must be obtained and that overlapping coverage 
and/or disclaimed flood hazard information shall be avoided.  
Before a decision is made on the processing method which occurs during Project Scoping phase 
(see Volume 1, Section 1.3), the following questions must be answered:
*	Does the subject community prefer to keep its community-based FIRM?
*	In how many counties does the subject community lie?
*	How are the multiple-county communities shown on the FIRMs of surrounding counties?
*	What is the status of the surrounding counties relative to countywide processing?
*	Does the subject community have full jurisdiction over its lands? 
*	How much of the subject community falls within the county that is being processed?
*	What is the map scale of the existing community-based FIRM?
*	How many panels would be added to the countywide FIRM in order to include the subject 
community in its entirety?
Once the questions above have been answered and all information has been obtained, the final 
decision regarding processing shall be made in consultation with the FEMA Project Officer. The 
three options discussed below ensure seamless mapping coverage for all jurisdictions, and 
prevent overlapping and/or duplicated flood hazard information from being shown on two 
separate FIRMs.
K.1.6.1	Processing Option 1
Under this option, the community-based FIRM would be retained as a separate map, and the 
community would be shown as an "Area Not Included" (no flood hazard or base map 
information shown) on the countywide FIRM being processed and on the FIRMs for all 
surrounding of the counties in which the subject community falls. If a Digital Orthophoto 
Quadrangle (DOQ) base map is used for the FIRM, the base map imagery will continue through 
the Area Not Included.  When this option is chosen, a concurrent community-based FIRM 
revision must be processed, if required, to ensure that seamless coverage between the multiple-
county community and its surrounding counties in which it is located will be maintained. Minor 
revisions of the FIRMs for adjacent counties to ensure that no overlaps or gaps in coverage exist.
[February 2002]
K.1.6.2	Processing Option 2
Under this option, the entire community is mapped on the new countywide FIRM.  This option 
shall be used when the following criteria are met:
*	The multiple-county community can be shown on the new countywide FIRM without 
substantially increasing the panel count; and  
*	At least 70% of the community area is located within the countywide FIRM being 
processed.
When Option 2 is chosen, the assigned Mapping Partner shall notify the FEMA Map Service 
Center (MSC) to supersede the community-based FIRM for the multiple-county community.  
The MSC must also be notified to include a notation in the Flood Map Status Information 
System that the subject multiple-county community is shown in its entirety on the new 
countywide FIRM. The adjacent counties will continue to show the subject multiple-county 
community as an Area Not Included on their FIRMs, even if their FIRMs are converted to the 
countywide format at a future date.  This decision will be made on a case-by-case basis with the 
FEMA Project Officer.
[February 2002]
K.1.6.3	Processing Option 3
Apportion the multiple-county community such that it is shown on multiple countywide FIRMs.  
This option shall be used only when the following criteria are met:
*	All adjacent counties in which the multiple-county community is located either already 
have Countywide FIRMs or will have in the near future; and 
*	The multiple-county community has been consulted and has not expressed significant 
concerns with being shown on more than one FIRM.
When Option 3 is chosen, if the processing of any of the contiguous countywide FIRMs that 
share the subject community are delayed (usually as a result of an appeal, protest, or other study 
complication), thereby making it impossible for all countywide FIRMs to become effective at the 
same time, the multiple-county community shall retain the community-based FIRM (see Option 
1 above). In this situation, the assigned Mapping Partner must consult the FEMA Project Officer 
for a decision on how to proceed.  Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, but must 
result in continuing and non-conflicting coverage for all land areas being mapped. Once all 
issues causing the delay are resolved, the assigned Mapping Partner can then proceed with the 
inclusion of the community into each countywide FIRM.
When Option 3 is chosen, the assigned Mapping Partner must notify the MSC to supersede the 
community-based FIRM for the multiple-county community. 
[February 2002]
K.1.7	Single-Jurisdiction (Community-Based) Format
For single-jurisdiction FIRMs, all areas within a single community's jurisdiction are shown on 
one FIRM.  The assigned Mapping Partner shall prepare a single-jurisdiction FIRMs when 
funding constraints or lack of suitable base map data prohibit full countywide mapping. 
Many FIRM updates affect only a portion of a community (i.e., only a few map panels instead of 
the entire community).  When this is the case, a decision must be made on whether to convert an 
entire manual FIRM to digital format during the revision or whether to process revisions 
manually.  The decision shall be made with the following in mind: 
*	FEMA's goal is to convert its entire inventory of manual maps to a digital format. 
*	One of the primary benefits of digital mapping is that it will reduce the cost of future 
revisions.
*	Many of the steps required to convert a study to digital format require nearly as much 
time for a partial digital study as for a full digital study, thus reducing costs in the long 
run.


Digital conversion of only the revised panels (partial digital conversion) is not the preferred 
option, but may be undertaken when funding constraints prohibit full digital conversion. 
[February 2002]
K.1.8	Report/Map Combination Format
For small communities that are shown on single-jurisdiction FIRMs, a combination FIRM and 
FIS report may be created.  This involves printing one FIRM panel as defined under the Map 
Initiates format described above containing all identified floodplains for the community as well 
as a condensed version of the FIS report.  The use of this format should eliminate the 
requirement to create and print a separate FIS report.  Space limitations will guide the decision 
on using this map format.  At a minimum, the assigned Mapping Partner shall include the Flood 
Profiles, and Floodway Data and Summary of Flood Discharges tables on the FIRM.  The 
assigned Mapping Partner shall also modify the FIRM Notes to Users to reference the map 
instead of the FIS report as the source of certain pertinent information.  Examples of the notes 
and how they are modified are shown in Section K.7.1.  The decision to create a combination 
FIRM and FIS report shall be made in consultation with a FEMA Project Officer.
[February 2002]
K.1.9	Standard Map Format
Unless specifically directed to do otherwise, the assigned Mapping Partner shall not produce new 
or revised FIRMs and FBFMs in the Standard format as separate FIRM and FBFM panels.  All 
revisions should be processed in either one or a combination of the formats described above. 
[February 2002]


 
K.2	Map Frames
Mapping Partners shall select frame sizes for Map Indexes and FIRM panels depending on 
whether the FIRM is being produced digitally or manually and whether the Index may be 
produced on 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
[February 2002]
K.2.1	Z-fold Digital Frame Sizes
All Digital FIRMs, including most Map Indexes, shall be printed in map frames of the 
dimensions shown below:
*	Trimmed paper size: Height 25.875 " x Width 36"
*	Map border size: Height 25.082" x Width 34.880"
*	Legend borders: Height 16.87" x Width 5.44" 
*	Notes to User borders: Height 15.15" x Width 5.44"
*	Title Block box:
*	Overall dimensions: Height 7.85" x Width 4.40"
*	Striped side box: Height 7.225" x Width 1.10"
*	Title box: Height 7.225" x Width 3.30"
*	Striped upper box: Height 0.50" x Width 1.10"
*	Upper box: Height 0.50" x Width 3.30"
The map image size (the image inside the FIRM neatline) shall vary depending on the latitude of 
the community being mapped.  Overedge areas may be included if they fit inside the map border.
Figure K-1 provides the dimensions of a Digital FIRM map frame.



 
Figure K-1. Digital Map Frame Dimensions
[February 2002]
K.2.2	Z-fold Manual Frame Sizes
Manually-prepared FIRMs are printed in one of five map frame sizes, the dimensions of which 
are shown below.  Refer to the diagram in Figure K.14-2 for additional Map Index dimensions.
A Frame	Trimmed paper size:	Height 25.79" x Width 18.76"
	Map neatline size:	Height 25.0" x Width 14.2" 
B Frame	Trimmed paper size:	Height 25.79" x Width 22.33"
	Map neatline size:	Height 25.0" x Width 18.0" 
C Frame	Trimmed paper size:	Height 25.79" x Width 26.28"
	Map neatline size:	Height 25.0" x Width 21.6" 
D Frame	Trimmed paper size:	Height 25.79" x Width 29.03"
	Map neatline size:	Height 25.0" x Width 25.4" 
E Frame	Trimmed paper size:	Height 25.79" x Width 37.52"
	Map neatline size:	Height 25.0" x Width 32.9" 
Figure K-2 provides the dimensions of a Manual FIRM map frame.


 
Figure K-2. Manual Map Frame Dimensions
[February 2002]
K.2.3	81/2" x 11" Frames
Map Indexes for small communities with few map panels may be printed on 81/2" x 11" paper.  
The dimensions of this map frame are shown below:
*	Trimmed paper size: Height 8 1/2 " x Width 11"
*	Map border size: Height 7.5" x Width 10.0"
*	Title Block box:
*	Overall dimensions: Height 6.00" x Width 3.30"
*	Striped side box: Height 5.60" x Width 0.78"
*	Title box: Height 5.60" x Width 2.50"
*	Striped upper box: Height 0.385" x Width 0.78"
*	Upper box: Height 0.385" x Width 2.50"
Section K.3 provides an example of an 81/2" x 11" Map Index.
[February 2002]



K.3	Map Index
The assigned Mapping Partner shall produce a Map Index for every community that requires 
more than one printed map panel.  Map Indexes may be prepared in an 81/2" ? 11" format for 
small- to medium-sized communities.  When the panel count becomes large enough to render an 
81/2" ? 11" Index unusable or illegible, a Z-fold Index is required.  Z-fold Indexes must always be 
prepared for countywide FIRMs.  Countywide FIRMs may require more than one Map Index 
sheet.  A Map Index may be revised to include changes in community boundaries; the addition of 
map panels to the grid layout; the addition of roads, drainage lines, and other physical features; 
and revisions of dates and notes.  When such revisions are necessary, the assigned Mapping 
Partner shall make these changes in a format consistent with that of the existing Map Index and 
according to the standards applied in the preparation of that Index.  
When a new Map Index layout is necessary for a single-panel FIRM that must be expanded to a 
multiple-panel FIRM, or when an existing layout must be completely revised, the Assigned 
Mapping Partner shall prepare a new FIRM Map Index.
[February 2002]
K.3.1	Map Index Body Elements and Specifications
The entire jurisdictional area of the community, including corporate and Extraterritorial 
Jurisdictional (ETJ) limits, if appropriate, shall be divided into map panels, following standard 
grid layout procedures (see Section 1.4 of these Guidelines) .  The Map Index shall have the 
same directional orientation as the individual map panels; for all digital FIRMs, north shall be 
oriented to the top of the page.  Panel neatlines shall be accurately placed with respect to the 
community layout.  The locations and names of major flooding sources, major roads, corporate 
limits, and selected railroads shall be shown to facilitate the orientation and location of the 
individual panels.  Areas within the corporate limits that were not studied shall be labeled as 
such whenever the scale of the Map Index permits.
[February 2002]
K.3.1.1	Map Numbers
Each panel shown on the Map Index must contain a map number.  The map number may be 
comprised of the Community Identification Number (CID), four-digit panel number, and suffix, 
or the countywide FIPS code, the letter "C", the four-digit panel number, and the suffix.  The 
Map Index shall identify unprinted panels with asterisks and footnotes which define the reason(s) 
for the panel not being printed.  
The appropriate reason(s) for the panel not being printed shall appear below the lower left corner 
of the grid layout.  A listing of appropriate footnotes are listed in "Panel Not Printed" Footnotes 
table available later in this section.
Suffix changes shall be reflected both on the FIRM panel and the Map Index.  The suffixes for 
unprinted panels should not change unless all panels are revised.   
[February 2002]
K.3.1.2	Map Dates
The FIRM Map Index shall show the FIRM effective date in the title block.  This date shall be 
designated in the title block as "Effective Date" (on the first FIRM for the subject jurisdiction or 
first countywide) or "Map Revised" (on FIRMs that have been revised at least once).  When the 
preliminary copy of the Map Index is prepared, this date should be left blank.  When the final 
copy of the Map Index is prepared, the date determined for the FIRM shall be added.  Sample 
Map Index title blocks are shown in Section K.3.3.  Similar type styles and sizes are acceptable, 
and may vary due to Map Index size limitations.
Map Indexes shall also list the effective date of each FIRM panel below the panel number on the 
Map Index to assist the user in determining current panel dates, as shown in Figure K-3.



17097C0159 B

06/20/97


17097C0159 B

06/20/97

17097C0159 A

09/04/94

17097C0159 A

09/04/94
Figure K-3. Panel Effective Dates on Map Index
When adding map dates under the panel numbers becomes problematic due to high levels of base 
map detail on the body of the Map Index, a second option is to list the dates of all printed panels 
in a separate FIRM Panel Dates table on the Map Index.  When multiple Map Index panels exist, 
this table will list FIRM panels on a Map Index panel-specific basis.  Figure K-4 shows a sample 
table with suggested font specifications.





FIRM Panel Dates For Printed Panels of Johnson County, FL (All Jurisdictions)
Panel 
Effective Date
Panel
Effective Date
Panel
Effective Date
0035 D
May 3, 2000
0145 D
May 3, 2000
0237 C
December 6, 1991
0039 E
July 7, 2001
0152 E
July 7, 2001
0242 B
January 8, 1988
0045 E
July 7, 2001
0155 E
July 7, 2001
0244 B
January 8, 1988
0053 D
May 3, 2000
0160 E
July 7, 2001
0252 D
May 3, 2000
0061 D
May 3, 2000
0164 B
January 8, 1988
0255 D
May 3, 2000
0062 D
May 3, 2000
0165 D
May 3, 2000
0256 D
May 3, 2000
0063 D
May 3, 2000
0166 B
January 8, 1988
0257 D
May 3, 2000
0064 D
May 3, 2000
0167 B
January 8, 1988
0258 D
May 3, 2000
0068 D
May 3, 2000
0168 B
January 8, 1988
0259 B
January 8, 1988
0086 C
December 6, 1991
0169 B
January 8, 1988
0261 B
January 8, 1988
0088 C
December 6, 1991
0176 D
May 3, 2000
0262 B
January 8, 1988
0090 C
December 6, 1991
0177 D
May 3, 2000
0263 B
January 8, 1988
0095 C
December 6, 1991
0178 D
May 3, 2000
0264 B
January 8, 1988
0110 D
May 3, 2000
0179 D
May 3, 2000
0267 B
January 8, 1988
0113 D
May 3, 2000
0181 D
May 3, 2000
0268 B
January 8, 1988
0114 D
May 3, 2000
0186 B
January 8, 1988
0269 B
January 8, 1988
0115 D
May 3, 2000
0201 C
December 6, 1991
0276 B
January 8, 1988
0119 D
May 3, 2000
0202 C
December 6, 1991
0277 B
January 8, 1988
0130 D
May 3, 2000
0204 D
May 3, 2000
0281 B
January 8, 1988

Figure K-4 FIRM Panel Dates

[February 2002]
K.3.1.3	Panel Not Printed Footnotes
The following notes shall be added to the Map Index to identify why certain FIRM or FBFM 
panels are not printed.

Panel Not Printed Footnotes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Usage 
Specification
PANEL NOT PRINTED - NO SPECIAL FLOOD 
HAZARD AREAS
This note is used to designate 
panels not printed because the 
entire panel area does not contain 
floodplain areas.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - AREA IN ZONE D
This note is used to indicate panels 
not printed because the panel area 
is entirely Zone D.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - AREA NOT 
INCLUDED
This note is used when the area of 
an entire panel is contained in an 
Area Not Included.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - OPEN WATER AREA
This note is used when an area of 
all water and no land is contained 
within the panel area.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - AREA ALL WITHIN 
ZONE AE (ELEVATION)
This note is used when the entire 
panel falls entirely within one 
flood hazard zone with one flood 
elevation.  If the panel contains 
land area, this procedure shall only 
be used with the approval of a 
FEMA Project Officer, as normally 
any land areas on a FIRM with 
identified flood hazards should be 
printed.  The elevation value is 
given in parentheses.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - AREA OUTSIDE 
CORPORATE / COUNTY BOUNDARY
This note is used to indicate 
paneled areas outside the subject 
jurisdiction.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - NO FLOODWAY 
DELINEATED; FOR FLOODPLAIN 
BOUNDARIES, SEE CORRESPONDING 
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP PANEL 
PUBLISHED SEPARATELY
This note is used as a footnote on 
the FBFM Index to designate 
panels not printed because no 
floodway has been designated on 
that panel.  Omit "published 
separately" if the FBFM Index is 
part of a Partial Map Initiatives 
publication.  Omit "corresponding" 
if the FBFM paneling scheme is 
different from the FIRM.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - FLOODWAY 
DELINEATION SHOWN ON FLOOD 
INSURANCE RATE MAP
This note is used as a footnote on 
the FBFM Index to indicate that 
the floodway is now shown on the 
FIRM panel.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
PANEL NOT PRINTED - AREA WITHIN 
(community name), WHICH HAS A SEPARATELY 
PUBLISHED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP; 
THE PORTION OF (community name) ON MAP 
NUMBER (map number) IS NOT WITHIN 
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS.
This note is used to indicate a 
panel that is partially within an 
Area Not Included and partially 
within an area that does not contain 
floodplains
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
[February 2002]
K.3.1.4	Index Body Notes
The following notes shall be used on the body of the Map Index, when appropriate. On a single-
jurisdiction FIRM Index, the Map Repository address shall be shown above or in close proximity 
to the north arrow.

Index Body Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Usage 
Specification 
THIS AREA OF THE COMMUNITY NOT 
PRINTED - ALL IN OPEN WATER
This note is used on the body of the 
Map Index to indicate an unmapped 
area of the community that is 
entirely in open water.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
THIS AREA OF THE COMMUNITY CONTAINS 
NO SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS AND IS 
THEREFORE NOT PRINTED
This note is used on the body of the 
Map Index to indicate an area of the 
community that does not have 
floodplain areas and is not paneled.
7-9 Pt. Arial CAPS
MAP REPOSITORY
(Maps available for reference only, not for 
distribution.)

Manatee County Building Division
Floodplain Section, 2nd Floor
1112 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton, 
Florida  34205
This is an example of a Map 
Repository listing for a single 
jurisdiction FIRM Index. The Map 
Repository is the location that the 
community has designated for 
storing its FIRM.  The address is 
placed just above or in close 
proximity to the north arrow on the 
Map Index.  The disclaimer, as 
stated, immediately follows the 
heading for the address.
(Header)
12 Pt. Arial CAPS with 
underscore and CLC
(Reference note, 
Community Name, and 
Address)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS and 
CLC
NOTICE TO MAP USERS

FEMA maintains information 
about map features, such as 
street locations and names, in or 
near designated flood hazard 
areas. Requests to revise 
information in or near designated 
flood hazard areas may be 
provided to FEMA during the 
community review period, at the 
final Consultation Coordination 
Officer's meeting, or during the 
statutory 90-day appeal period.  
Approved requests for changes 
will be shown on the final printed 
FIRM.
The following note must be 
added to all Preliminary 
FIRM Indexes and/or panel if 
panel is Only Panel Printed.  
It is also a standard paragraph 
in the transmittal letters to the 
communities. The note 
reminds the community to 
submit changes for street 
locations and names in or 
near the floodplains for 
incorporation into the final 
printed FIRM.  The note does 
not appear on the final FIRM 
that is delivered to the 
Government Printing Office 
for printing.  If the FIRM 
does not contain any Base 
Flood Elevations, the 
reference to the 90-day appeal 
period is omitted from the 
note.
(Header)
12-20 Pt. Arial Bold 
CAPS
(Reference note)
12-20 Pt. Arial Bold 
CLC
- NOTE -
 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS ARE 
LOCATED ON PANELS 14, 18, 155, 161, 
188, 304, 308, AND 309.

PANEL NOT PRINTED
This note is added above the Map 
Index north arrow for any 
community that contains Coastal 
Barrier units.  All panels containing 
Coastal Barrier units and/or 
Otherwise Protected Areas, 
including panels that are not printed 
are listed.  Non-printed panels are 
listed with a footnote.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
MAP DATES
This FIRM Index displays the map date for each 
FIRM panel at the time that this Index was 
printed.  Because this Index may not be 
distributed to unaffected communities in 
subsequent revisions, users may determine the 
current map date for each FIRM panel by visiting 
the FEMA Map Service Center website at 
http://web1.msc.fema.gov, or by calling the Map 
Service Center at 1-800-358-9616.
Communities annexing land on adjacent FIRM 
panels must obtain a current copy of the 
adjacent panel as well as the current FIRM 
Index.  These may be ordered directly from the 
Map Service Center at the numbers listed above.
An inventory of NFIP panels is 
available through the Map Service 
Center website.  Therefore, this note 
shall be placed on all countywide 
format FIRM Indexes above the 
FIRM Panel Dates table (if this 
option is chosen) or in a clear area 
of the FIRM Index (if the dates are 
shown within the individual map 
grids).  If more than one FIRM 
Index is required to show the 
jurisdiction, this note is placed on 
each FIRM Index panel.
(Header)
10 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS 
with underscore
(Reference note)
9 Pt. Arial CLC

[February 2002]

K.3.1.5	Flood Boundary and Floodway Map Index
FBFM Indexes shall be revised whenever the FIRM is prepared in the Partial Map Initiatives 
format.  The Partial Map Initiatives format may be used for restudy or revision map action when 
it is determined that total conversion to Map Initiatives is not cost effective.   
When the Partial Map Initiatives format is used, the FBFM panel(s) is superseded by the FIRM 
panel and the FBFM Index reflects this change.  The appropriate "Panel Not Printed" footnote 
should be added to the Index for FBFM panels that are superseded by Partial Map Initiatives 
FIRM panels.  See the table below for the proper wording of the "Panel Not Printed" footnote.
In addition to the "Panel Not Printed" footnote, a note shall be added to the body of the FBFM 
Index informing the user that the former FBFM panels have been superseded by the FIRM 
panels.   See the table below for the proper wording of the note. 
When preparing a revised FBFM Map Index, map dates may appear beneath each FBFM panel 
number within the map grid.  The assigned Mapping Partner shall ensure that the remaining 
separately printed FBFM panels have the correct date under the panel number.  Dates that appear 
on non-printed panels shall be removed. 
The assigned Mapping Partner shall notify the MSC by memorandum or e-mail when Map 
Initiatives FIRM panels supercede Flood Boundary and Floodway Map panels.
[February 2002]


FBFM Index Body Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Usage 
Specification 
NOTE TO USER:
Floodways on Flood 
Boundary and Floodway 
Map panel(s) (list affected 
FBFM panel numbers) are 
shown on the 
corresponding Flood 
Insurance Rate Map 
panel(s).
This note is used on the body of 
the FBFM Index in conjunction 
with the footnote to indicate that 
the FIRM has superseded the 
FBFM panel(s) when the floodway 
is now shown on the FIRM 
panel(s).  Omit the word 
"corresponding" if the panel 
numbers are different the FIRM 
and FBFM.
20 Pt. Impact
NOTE TO USER:
PANEL(S) (list affected FBFM 
panel numbers) SHOULD BE 
USED FOR FLOODWAY 
INFORMATION ONLY.  PLEASE 
REFER TO THE 
CORRESPONDING FLOOD 
INSURANCE RATE MAP 
PANELS FOR UP-TO-DATE 
100- AND 500-YEAR 
FLOODPLAIN BOUNDARY 
INFORMATION.
This note is used on the body of 
the FBFM Index when the 
floodplain boundaries have been 
modified but the floodway 
boundaries have remained the 
same and therefore, the FBFM 
panels were not revised.
20 Pt. Impact

K.3.1.6	Map Index Panel Element Graphic Specifications
The table below provides graphic specification standards for the depiction of information on 
Map Indexes.  Note that separate specifications for 81/2" x 11" Map Indexes appear in Subsection 
K.3.4.

Map Index Panel Elements
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature
Specification
 
North Arrow
Line weight .010"
Width 1.20"
Height 0.70"

Major Road
Line weight .030"
CAPITAL STREET
Street, Road, Avenue Name 
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
 
Interstate Highway Symbol
Standard Interstate Route Shield
Line weight .010"
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x .480"
8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
U.S. Highway Symbol
Standard U.S. Route Shield
Line weight .010"
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x .480"
8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
State Highway Symbol
Circle 
Line weight .010"
Diameter .200" to .280"
8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
County Highway Symbol
Rectangle 
Line weight .010"
Size .150" x .250" to .300" x .400"
8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
CHESSIE SYSTEM
RAILROAD
Railroad and Railroad Name
Line weight .015"
Tie length .060", spacing .300"
8 Pt. Arial Italics CAPS

Airport
Line weight .010"


Eighteen Mile Creek
River, Stream, Lake, or Other 
Hydrographic Feature and 
Feature Name
Line weight .008" to .010"
6 - 18  Pt. Times New Roman Bold Italics 
CLC
SHIP ISLAND
Small or Large Island
6 - 14 Pt. Arial CAPS

ASSABET RIVER DAM
Major Dam and Dam Name
Line weight .010
8 Pt. Arial CAPS or CLC
 
International, State, County 
Boundary
Line weight .030"
Dashing: 1.500" .050" .150" .050" .150" 
.050" 1.500"

Corporate, Extraterritorial 
Jurisdiction Boundary
(Countywide)
Line weight .030"
Color: 63% Gray
No dashing
 
Corporate, Extraterritorial 
Jurisdiction Boundary
(Single jurisdiction)
Line weight .030"
Dashing: 1.500" .050" .150" .050" 1.500"
CITY OF BLADES
Community Label
6 - 10 Pt. Times New Roman CAPS or CLC


City of Lafayette
(AREA NOT INCLUDED)
Area Not Included Note
Line weight .020"
(Community name)
8-24 Pt. Times New Roman CAPS or CLC
(Note)
8 - 11 Pt. Arial CAPS

FOREST BOUNDARY

ROOSEVELT STATE FOREST
Forest, Park or Reservation 
Boundary, Boundary Label  
and Area Label (Large areas 
only)
(Boundary Label)
6-8 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Boundary)
Line weight .015"
Dot diameter .030", spacing .400"
(Area Label)
6-10 Pt. Times New Roman CAPS or CLC
1202300275 C
41050C0050 E
FIRM Map Numbers
8 - 18 Pt. Arial Narrow Bold CAPS
8/30/00
FIRM Panel Effective Dates
8 Pt. Arial Narrow CAPS

[February 2002]
K.3.2	Countywide Index
Countywide Map Index contains unique elements that enable the user to identify pertinent 
information for each individual community.  These elements include a Listing of Communities 
table, a list of the Map Repositories, and multiple index sheets where applicable.
[February 2002]
K.3.2.1	Listing of Communities
The assigned Mapping Partner shall ensure that the Countywide Map Index contains a Listing of 
Communities table that lists, in alphabetical order and in tabular form, all jurisdictions included 
in the FIS.  The table shall also list non-floodprone communities in the county, footnoted with an 
indication of their non-floodprone status.  The listing shall not include communities that are 
labeled as Areas Not Included.  Each community shall have its CID listed on the table in the 
"Community Number" column.  Each panel showing any portion of a community, including 
non-printed panels shall be listed next to the community in the "Located on Panel(s)" column.  
Non-printed panels shall be footnoted as "Panel Not Printed."
Historical map dates shall be listed in the "Initial NFIP Map Date," "Initial FIRM Date," and 
"Most Recent FIRM Panel Date" columns.  The Initial NFIP Map Date is the date of the 
community's first flood hazard map, which may be a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), a 
combined FHBM/FIRM, or a FIRM.  If the Initial NFIP Map Date does not correspond to the 
Initial Identification Date in the legend of the most recent map panel, a footnote shall be placed 
beneath the table to state the Initial Identification Date.  
The Initial FIRM Date is the date of the community's first FIRM.  The Most Recent FIRM Panel 
Date column shall list the last date on which a panel within that community was published.  This 
date is added to clarify which communities are affected by the republication of the Map Index, 
since the Map Index is updated every time a panel within the county is republished. An example 
of a Listing of Communities table is shown in Figure K-5.
The following note shall be added above the north arrow of a countywide Map Index to clarify 
the meaning of the dates in the Listing of Communities table.



























Figure K-5 Listing of Communities Table 



Listing of Communities Table Note
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Usage
Specification
NOTICE
Future revisions to this FIRM index will only 
be issued to communities that are located 
on FIRM panels being revised.  This FIRM 
index therefore remains valid for FIRM 
panels dated [date] or earlier. Please refer 
to the "most recent FIRM panel date" 
column in the Listing of Communities table 
below to determine the most recent FIRM 
index date for each community.
This note is added to all countywide Map 
Indexes to inform map users that the Map 
Index may be republished in the future 
but not distributed to them unless they are 
affected by the revision.  See Figure 
K.3.2-1 for an example of a Listing of 
Communities table referenced in this 
note.
(Header)
10 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS 
with underscore
(Reference note)
9 Pt. Arial CLC

[February 2002]

K.3.2.2	Community Map Repository List
The assigned Mapping Partner shall ensure that Countywide Map Index contains a Community 
Map Repository list containing an alphabetical listing of the map repository address of each 
community that will receive a copy of the FIRM.  The communities that are classified as Areas 
Not Included will not receive a copy of the FIRM and communities that are classified as non-
floodprone will receive copies of the Map Index only.  The Community Map Repository list shall 
be placed above or in close proximity to the north arrow. A sample Community Map Repository 
list is provided below.





Countywide Map Repositories Note
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Usage
Specification
MAP REPOSITORIES
(Maps available for reference only, not for 
distribution.)
DAVIDSON COUNTY 
(UNINCORPORATED AREAS):
Davidson County      Government 
Center
Planning Department
913 Greensboro Street
Lexington, North Carolina  27293
DENTON, TOWN OF:
Denton Town Hall
101 West Newsome Avenue
Denton, North Carolina  27239
LEXINGTON, CITY OF:
City of Lexington Community 
Development Department
31 West First Street
Lexington, North Carolina  27292
This is an example of a Map 
Repository list for a countywide 
FIRM. The Map Repository is the 
location that the community has 
designated for storing its FIRM. The 
Map Repository address for each 
community included in the study is 
listed in alphabetical order on the 
body of the Map Index.  If feasible, 
the list of addresses is placed just 
above the north arrow on the Map 
Index.  The disclaimer, as stated, 
immediately follows the heading for 
the addresses.
(Header)
16-22 Pt. Arial Bold 
CAPS with underscore
(Reference note, 
Community Name, and 
Address)
9-12 Pt. Arial CAPS and 
CLC

[February 2002]
K.3.2.3	Multiple Map Index Panels
FIRMs that are contained on one Map Index panel have the Map Number "IND0."  It may 
sometimes be necessary to create multiple Map Index panels for large countywide FIRMs.  In 
such cases, the Listing of Communities table and Community Map Repository list shall appear 
separately on a second Map Index sheet.  Sometimes, it may also be necessary to split the image 
of the community itself onto multiple Map Index sheets.  In such cases, a match line shall be 
added and labeled with a note that references the adjoining Map Index sheet.  When multiple 
Map Index sheets are created, the Map Numbers of those sheets shall be IND1, IND2, etc., and 
an Index Locator Diagram shall be added to the Map Index, proportionate in size to other 
elements.    Examples of an Index Locator Diagram are shown in Figures K-6 and K-7.
[February 2002]



Figure K-6 Index Locator Diagram Sheet 1 of 2

Figure K-7 Index Locator Diagram Sheet 2 of 2

K.3.3	Index Title Block
The Index title block must be similar in appearance to the FIRM title block, with the exception 
that it must contain a listing of all of the printed panels instead of community-specific 
information.  The following pages contain examples of the following Map Index title blocks:
*	Countywide DFIRM Index Title Block (Figure K-8);
*	Countywide Multi-sheet DFIRM Index Title Block, Sheet 1 of 2 (Figure K-9);
*	Countywide Multi-sheet DFIRM Index Title Block, Sheet 2 of 2 (Figure K-10);
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM Index Title Block (Figure K-11);
*	Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM Index Title Block (Figure K-12); and
*	Single-Jurisdiction Manual FBFM Index Title Block (Figure K-13).
Figure K-14, "Title Block Element Specifications," lists the specifications for the title block 
elements.














































Figure K-8. Countywide DFIRM Index Title Block 









































Figure K-9. Countywide Multi-sheet DFIRM Index Title Block, Sheet 1 of 2














































Figure K-10. Countywide Multi-sheet DFIRM Index Title Block, Sheet 2 of 2











































Figure K-11.  Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM Index Title Block




























Figure K-12.  Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM Index Title Block
































Figure K-13.  Single-Jurisdiction Manual FBFM Index Title Block 









































Figure K-14. Map Index Title Block Element Suggested Font Specifications


[February 2002]

K.3.4	81/2"x11" Map Index
An example of an 81/2" x 11 Map Index is presented in Figure K-15. As shown in Figure K-15, 
the specifications appear exactly as presented for the Z-fold Index but are at a smaller scale. 
Figure K-16 provides suggested font specifications for an 81/2" x 11 Map Index. The table that 
follows Figure K-16 provides graphic specification standards for the depiction of information on 
81/2" x 11 Map Indexes.












































Figure K-15.  Example of 81/2" x 11" Map Index 







































Figure K-16. Title Block for 81/2" x 11" Map Index, with Suggested Font 
Specifications





81/2" x 11" Map Index Elements
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature
Specification
 
North Arrow
Line weight .008"
Width 0.675"
Height 0.40"

Major Road
Line weight .020"
CAPITAL STREET
Street, Road, Avenue Name
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
 
Interstate Highway Symbol
Standard Interstate Route Shield
Line weight .010"
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x 
.480"
6 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
U.S. Highway Symbol
Standard U.S. Route Shield
Line weight .010"
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x 
.480"
6 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
State Highway Symbol
Circle 
Line weight .010"
Diameter .200" to .280"
6 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
County Highway Symbol
Rectangle 
Line weight .010"
Size .150" x .250" to .300" x 
.400"
6 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
 
CHESSIE SYSTEM
RAILROAD
Railroad and Railroad Name
Line weight .008"
Tie length .060", spacing .300"
6 Pt. Arial Italics CAPS

Airport
Line weight .010"


Eighteen Mile Creek
River, Stream, or Other Hydrographic 
Feature and Feature Name
Line weight .008"
6-10 Pt. Times New Roman Bold 
Italics CLC
SHIP ISLAND
Island
10 Pt. Arial CAPS

ASSABET RIVER DAM
Major Dam and Dam Name
Line weight .010
6 Pt. Arial CAPS or CLC
 
International, State, County Boundary
Line weight .015"
Dashing: .6" .05" .15" .05" .15" 
.05" .6"
 
Corporate, Extraterritorial Boundary
Line weight .015"
Dashing: .6" .05" .15" .05" .6"
CITY OF BLADES
Community Label
10 Pt. Times Roman CAPS



City of Lafayette
(AREA NOT INCLUDED)
Area Not Included Note
Line weight .015"
(Community name)
6-10 Pt. Times New Roman 
CAPS or CLC
(Note)
5-8 Pt. Arial CAPS

FOREST BOUNDARY

ROOSEVELT STATE FOREST
Forest, Park or Reservation Boundary, 
Boundary Label  and Area Label 
(Large areas only)
(Boundary Label)
6-8 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Boundary)
Line weight .015"
Dot diameter .030", spacing .400"
(Area Label)
6-10 Pt. Times New Roman 
CAPS or CLC

FIRM Panel Neatline
Line weight .008"
0005 B
FIRM Map Numbers
8 Pt. Arial Narrow CAPS
8/30/00
FIRM Panel Effective Dates
8 Pt. Arial Narrow CAPS
MAP NUMBER
Map Number Label
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
- NOTE -
 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS 
ARE LOCATED ON PANELS 14, 18, 
155, 161, 188, 304, 308, AND 309.

PANEL NOT PRINTED
This note is added near the Map Index 
north arrow for any community that 
contains Coastal Barrier units.  All 
panels containing Coastal Barrier units 
and/or Otherwise Protected Areas, 
including panels that are not printed are 
listed.  Non-printed panels are listed 
with a footnote.
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
MAP REPOSITORY

Office of the Township Clerk, Harding 
Municipal Building, Blue Mill Road, New 
Vernon, New Jersey 07976 (Maps available 
for reference only, not for distribution.)
This is an example of a Map 
Repository listing for a single 
jurisdiction FIRM Index. The Map 
Repository is the location that the 
community has designated for storing 
its FIRM.  The address is placed just 
above or in close proximity to the north 
arrow on the Map Index.  The 
disclaimer, as stated, immediately 
follows the address.
(Header)
9 Pt. Arial CAPS with underscore
(Reference note, Community 
Name, and Address)
7 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
NOTICE TO MAP USERS

FEMA maintains information 
about map features, such as 
street locations and names, in 
or near designated flood 
hazard areas. Requests to 
revise information in or near 
designated flood hazard areas 
may be provided to FEMA 
during the community review 
period, at the final 
Consultation Coordination 
Officer's meeting, or during 
the statutory 90-day appeal 
period.  Approved requests 
for changes will be shown on 
the final printed FIRM.
The following note must be 
added to all Preliminary FIRM 
Indexes and/or panel if panel is 
Only Panel Printed.  It is also a 
standard paragraph in the 
transmittal letters to the 
communities. The note reminds 
the community to submit 
changes for street locations and 
names in or near the floodplains 
for incorporation into the final 
printed FIRM.  The note does 
not appear on the final FIRM 
that is delivered to the 
Government Printing Office for 
printing.  If the FIRM does not 
contain any BFEs, the reference 
to the 90-day appeal period is 
omitted from the note.
(Header)
9 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
(Reference note)
9 Pt. Arial Bold CLC
*PANEL NOT PRINTED - NO 
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
"Panel Not Printed" Notes
7-8 Pt. Arial CAPS


[February 2002]




K.4	Map Body
The body of the FIRM shall be comprised of base map information and flood hazard 
information, including any special notes needed for clarification, and, in applicable communities, 
areas designated as Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) units where federal flood 
insurance is unavailable.  
[February 2002]
K.4.1	Base Map
Base maps form the backdrop against which flood hazard information is viewed.  Digital base 
maps also provide horizontal control for effective information compiled from existing FIRMs, 
FBFMs and FHBMs.  Base maps cover the entire geographical area of a community and include 
planimetric data such as transportation features, hydrographic features, hydraulic structures, 
landforms, political boundaries.  The printed FIRM shall not depict topographic (elevation) data 
such as contour lines.  Base map features are employed by map users to locate properties and 
structures relative to the floodplains; therefore, the accuracy of the base maps used in the 
production of FIRMs is important to the overall precision of the FIRMs.
Once a base map has been accepted for use in FIRM production, the locations of features in the 
base map data files are used as is.  To facilitate fitting data together from multiple sources, base 
map features from one source may be clipped where they meet those from another source.  Small 
graphical mismatches between communities where roads or other features cross community 
boundaries must then be resolved.  This processing should allow for the creation of seamless 
digital data files.  
[February 2002]
K.4.1.1	Base Map Images
Whenever possible, the assigned Mapping Partner shall use DOQ images as they are received 
from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the community.  The DOQ image shall cover the 
entire FIRM panel, even if some of the image falls outside the jurisdiction being studied.  The 
assigned Mapping Partner shall not crop the image at the jurisdiction's boundary.  However, no 
imagery shall be shown outside the FIRM panel neatline.  On FIRM panels that are only partially 
covered by the studied jurisdiction, a note shall be added in areas outside the jurisdiction to 
clarify that flood hazards may exist outside the jurisdictional boundary.  An example of the note 
is shown in Subsection K.4.3.
[February 2002]
Raster Images
Raster maps can be produced from digital data or they can result from the digital scanning of 
paper maps, map negatives, and aerial photographs, and/or from the orthorectification of those 
images so that they are accurately georeferenced with any distortions removed.  Georeferencing 
means that the map depicts the spherical earth projected as a plane map, normally with Universal 
Transverse Mercator (UTM) or State Plane coordinates, with or without tick marks or lines that 
depict parallels (lines of equal latitude) or meridians (lines of equal longitude).  Human 
interpretation of scanned or imaged features shall be required to derive intelligence from raster 
maps.  The most common form of raster image map is the digital orthophotos, especially the 
standard DOQs produced by the USGS.
Variations in tones between DOQ images are acceptable.  If more than one DOQ image is 
included on a FIRM panel, lightening or darkening of individual images to balance tones is not 
necessary.  Overall lightening of all DOQ images for a Flood Map Project using a single factor 
may be done so that flood hazard features can be clearly seen.
The assigned Mapping Partner shall portray updates to roads or other features that have occurred 
since the DOQs were produced as vectors on top of the DOQs.  A note shall be added to the map 
to clarify significant additions as necessary.
The assigned Mapping Partner shall show vectors that depict studied flooding sources on top of 
the DOQs to clarify their locations. Vectors shall not be shown outside the Special Flood Hazard 
Areas (SFHAs) unless specifically authorized by the FEMA Project Officer.
[February 2002]
Vector Images
Vector base maps share to depict linear features (e.g., roads, railroads, streams) digitized as 
single-line centerlines or, alternatively, as dual lines showing the outer extremities of linear 
features (e.g., left and right banks of streams, curb lines on both sides of streets).  Roadway right-
of-ways or buffered road centerlines are not desirable because they do not depict a feature that 
can be physically located by users, who rely on the base map features for general orientation.  
Users often measure distances from road features in order to locate structures for insurance rating 
purposes.  Road centerlines or edges of pavement are more suitable for this type of use.  Vector 
maps must be digitized so that features are topologically correct.  Then, a Geographic 
Information System (GIS) can automatically derive intelligence from the vector features and 
perform adjacency, proximity, and connectivity analyses.
[February 2002]
K.4.1.2	Base Map Features
The following are the types of base map features that the assigned Mapping Partner shall depict 
on the FIRM if they occur within the community:
*	Transportation features, including roads, railroads, and airports shall be depicted.  If 
digital orthophotos are supplied, these features must be clearly visible.  Bridges that are 
included in the hydraulic models shall be included on the FIRM.  Unimproved roads or 
trails (i.e., those travelways not intended for motorized vehicles or not usually used by 
motorized vehicles due to width or seasonal conditions) may be included, particularly if 
they cross the floodplains. 
*	Hydrographic features (e.g., streams, rivers, lakes, shorelines) shall be depicted.
*	Hydraulic structures (e.g., levees, dams, weirs, floodwalls, jetties) shall be depicted.
*	NGS bench marks shall be depicted.
*	Political and other boundaries that identify corporate limits, extraterritorial jurisdictional 
areas, military lands, Native American lands, parks, forests, state gamelands, wildlife 
refuges, and similar areas shall be depicted.
*	U.S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) features, also known as range, township, and 
section lines, and their designators, shall be depicted..  Graphic and usage specifications 
for other horizontal reference grid systems are also included here; and
*	Other features and notes shall be depicted.
The assigned Mapping Partner shall separately symbolize base map features that are not clearly 
visible on the DOQ due to their location within a floodplain.  For example, a dam symbol should 
be outlined if it is not visible on the DOQ or if other floodplain features obscure it.
In general, the hierarchy of base map features is as follows: (1) political boundaries, (2) flood 
hazard areas, and (3) physical features such as shorelines.  Coincident base map features are to 
be shown such that the heaviest or widest line is most prominent.  For example, if a corporate 
boundary, a road, and a floodplain boundary are coincident, only the corporate boundary is to be 
shown.
The assigned Mapping Partner shall derive base map feature names from community-supplied 
files or hardcopy sources, current FIRM panels, U.S. Census Bureau Topologically Integrated 
Geographic Encoding and Reference System files, and/or other sources.  All feature names that 
are available in digital format shall be shown on the FIRM.  All feature labels on DOQ-based 
FIRMs shall be shown as black text with a white halo around the letters to enable the names to 
be clearly read against the intensity of the background image. Feature labels on non-DOQ 
FIRMs shall be shown as black text.  Further graphic specifications are provided in the tables 
below, with separate paragraphs emphasizing information of particular importance.
Please note that the tables contain specifications for DOQ and non-DOQ base maps.  In general, 
the non-DOQ-based examples also apply to FIRMs that are produced manually.  Specific 
exceptions are individually noted.  In general, bold type fonts surrounded by a white halo are 
used on DOQ-based FIRMs.  Medium type fonts are used on non-DOQ-based FIRMs where the 
background allows them to show more clearly. All base map features and labels are shown on 
the FIRM in black unless otherwise noted.
[February 2002]
Roads 
All primary roads, all roads located inside or within one inch of SFHA, and any road shown and 
labeled on a Flood Profile shall be labeled on the map.  When space permits, secondary and 
tertiary roads farther than one inch from SFHA shall be labeled.  If a community supplies digital 
road labels beyond the stated minimums, these labels shall be shown on the FIRM, provided they 
meet the text placement standards and do not render the map unusable due to excessive clutter.
Road name labels shall be placed parallel to the road and spaced so that there is no more than 
one-half inch between each word in the road name.  Additional road name labels shall be added 
for roads that traverse entire FIRM panels, or as necessary for clarity.
[February 2002]
Railroads
All railroads that traverse the community's mapped area shall be labeled.  When available, the 
formal name taken from the sources defined above is to be used.  The name shall be placed along 
the feature when feasible or leadered, if space is limited.  If several different names for the same 
feature are available and would cause clutter and/or confusion, the generic term "Railroad" shall 
be used.  If the generic name option is used, the formal name shown on the unrevised flood 
profiles shall not be changed.
[February 2002]

Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Transportation
Example
Feature
Specification

Primary Road
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"

Secondary Road 
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"

Unimproved Road 
Dash .05", space .010"
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
CAPITAL STREET
CAPITAL STREET
Street, Road, Avenue Name 
(DOQ)
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
(Non-DOQ)
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
Private Road
Unnamed Road
Private Road, Unimproved 
Road, Unnamed Road Label
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC

Road Shown on Manual 
FIRM at 1"=700' and Larger 
Scale 
Line weight .006"
Lane width .088"

Road Shown on Manual 
FIRM at 1"=800' to 
1"=1,500' Scale
Line weight .004"
Lane width .028"

Road Shown on Manual 
FIRM at 1"=1,600' and 
Smaller Scale
Line weight .004"
Lane width .014"
 
Interstate Highway Symbol
Standard Interstate Route Shield
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x .480"
6 - 8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
U.S. Highway Symbol
Standard U.S. Route Shield
Size .200" x .200" to .400" x .480"
6 - 8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
State Highway Symbol
Circle 
Diameter .200" to .280"
6 - 8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
County Highway Symbol
Rectangle 
Size .150" x .250" to .300" x .400"
6 - 8 Pt. Arial Bold Narrow CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
Cornish Bridge
Road or Railroad Bridge and 
Bridge Name
Line weight .010"
Wing tick length .025", angle 45?
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
 
Footbridge
Footbridge and Label
Wing tick length .025", angle 45?
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
Tunnel
Road or Railroad Tunnel and 
Label
Dash .050", space .010"
Wing tick length .025", angle 45?
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006" to .010"
 
CHESSIE SYSTEM
RAILROAD
Railroad and Name or Label
Tie length .060", spacing .300" - .500"
8 Pt. Arial Italics CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006" to .010"
 
Abandoned Railroad
Tie length .060", spacing .300" - .500"
Dash .300", space .020"
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006" to .010"

Dismantled Railroad, Old 
Railroad Grade 
Dash .100", space .020"
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006" to .010"
ABANDONED RAILROAD
Abandoned Railroad
OLD RAILROAD GRADE
Old Railroad Grade
Dismantled Railroad
Abandoned Railroad, 
Dismantled Railroad, Old 
Railroad Grade Labels
8 Pt. Arial Italics CAPS or CLC


Ferry
Ferry and Label
Line weight .010"
Dash .050", space .020"
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
 
HAGERSTOWN AIRPORT
Airport and Airport Name
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"
8 - 10 Pt. Arial CAPS



HAGERSTOWN AIRFIELD
Airfield
Airfield, Airfield Name, 
Airfield Label
Line weight .017"
(Name)
8 - 10 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Label)
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC

Landing Strip
Landing Strip and Label 
Line weight .017"
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC

Hydrographic Features
All hydrographic features (streams, lakes, ponds, bays, and oceans) that have an identified flood 
hazard associated with them shall be labeled.  Stream name labels shall be placed parallel to the 
feature and spaced so that there is no more than one-half inch between each word in the stream 
name.  Additional stream name labels may be added for streams that traverse entire FIRM 
panels, or as necessary for clarity.  Large hydrographic features, such as oceans and lakes, shall 
be labeled in larger type fonts or more than once on individual FIRM panels (as necessary for 
clarity). 
[February 2002]
Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Hydrographic
Example
Feature
Specification

River, Stream, or Other 
Hydrographic Feature 
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
Eighteen Mile Creek
Utah Lake
Name of River, Stream, or 
Other Hydrographic Feature 
7 - 24  Pt. Times New Roman Bold Italics  
CLC
Unnamed Tributary
Tributary No. 1
Unnamed Stream, Unnamed 
Tributary Label
7 - 11  Pt. Times New Roman Bold Italics  
CLC


Century Wash
Wash or Glacier and Name
Dash .050", space .010"
7 - 11  Pt. Times New Roman Bold Italics  
CLC
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY
Intracoastal Waterway and 
Label
Line weight .010"
Dash .070", space .020"
8 - 10 Pt. Arial Italic CAPS
Canal
Ditch
Pond
Wash
Glacier
Swamp
Marsh
Cranberry Bog
Unnamed Hydrographic 
Feature Label
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC

Hydraulic Structures 
All hydraulic structures (dams, culverts, weirs, levees, and floodwalls) in or near identified 
floodplains (detailed or approximate) shall be labeled.  The labels shall be placed near the 
structure and leadered in as appropriate.  If no official name for the structure is available, the 
appropriate feature symbol and a label identifying the structure type (e.g., culvert) shall be 
added.
[February 2002]

Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Hydraulic Structures
Example
Feature
Specification
 
Culvert
Flume
Penstock
Aqueduct
Culvert, Flume, Penstock, 
Aqueduct and Labels
Dash .050", space .010"
Wing tick length .025", angle 45?
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
(DOQ)
Line weight .008"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006" to .008"
 
Levee
Levee and Levee Name or 
Label
Line weight .010"
Length .060", space .010"
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC





Assabet River Dam
Dam
ASSABET RIVER DAM
DAM
Dam or Weir and Name or 
Label
 (DOQ)
Line weight .017"
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"
8 Pt. Arial CAPS or CLC



Pier
Sea Wall
Dock
Diversion Structure
Flood Control Structure
Pier, Dock, Jetty, Sea Wall, 
etc., and Labels
8 Pt. Arial Italics CLC
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008" to .010"

	Bench Marks
	The assigned Mapping Partner shall show all qualifying bench marks within a given jurisdiction 
that are cataloged by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and entered in the National Spatial 
Reference System (NSRS) as First or Second Order Vertical, having a stability classification 
ranking of A, B, or C on the FIRM.  The marks shall be identified by their NSRS Permanent 
Identifier (PID).  
	When local jurisdictions have established their own vertical monument network, these 
monuments may also be shown on the FIRM with the appropriate designations.  The assigned 
Mapping Partner shall show local monuments on the FIRM only if the community has requested 
that they be included, the monuments meet the aforementioned inclusion criteria, and the 
community maintains the monuments and provides public access to information about the 
monuments such as their location, description, and elevation. 
	Refer to Volume 1, Section 1.4 for additional information on the criteria for showing bench 
marks on FIRMs.
	
Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Bench Marks
Example
Feature
Specification
 
Bench Mark
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
Line Length .100" to .150"
Angle 45
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"
	[February 2002]
Political Boundaries 
All political boundaries shall be labeled with the appropriate jurisdiction name on each side of 
the boundary.  The adjoining community's boundary label should be determined by the hierarchy 
of the areas being identified (e.g., City of Fairfield [if the community is within the same state], 
City of Fairfield, Wisconsin [if the community is in a different state], or Washington County, 
Wisconsin [if the county is in a different state]).  If the community boundary is also a state 
boundary, the state name shall be shown in conjunction with the outside area's community name.
If there is not enough space along the boundary for a label because the jurisdiction area on the 
panel is small, the boundary itself shall not be labeled.
If a multiple-county community is shown in its entirety on a countywide FIRM, the county 
boundary that divides the community shall be labeled with the county names on each side.  If the 
boundary is also a state boundary, the state names shall be shown.  If the boundary labels do not 
fit inside the area of the multiple-county community, these labels shall be placed outside the 
community as close as possible to the community and leadered to the boundary.  The corporate 
limits of a multiple-county community that lies in more than one county on a countywide FIRM 
should be labeled with the jurisdiction name on each side of the boundary.  The corporate 
boundary outside the subject county should be labeled with the community label on the 
community side of the boundary and the adjacent community (incorporated or unincorporated) 
on the other side of the boundary.
When Extraterritorial Jurisdictional (ETJ) areas are significant for the purposes of the NFIP, they 
shall be shown on the FIRM.  ETJ boundaries shall be are labeled on the ETJ side of the 
boundary with "Community Name Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Limits."   If there are space 
constraints, the label may be shortened to "Community Name ETJ Limits." 
Jurisdiction names and CIDs shall be placed near the center of the jurisdiction, if possible to 
label the area.  For incorporated communities, the community type shall be followed by the name 
of the community (e.g., City of Smithville), and the CID placed immediately under the 
community name.  For unincorporated county areas, the county name should be shown with 
"Unincorporated Areas" beneath it and the county CID should be placed immediately under that 
label.
The ETJ area shall be labeled with the community name, followed by the words "(Extraterritorial 
Jurisdiction)," and the CID number of the community exercising its extraterritorial jurisdiction 
authority.
[February 2002]
Other Boundaries 
All areas governed by agencies other than those of the community being studied (military lands, 
Native American lands, parks, forests, state gamelands, wildlife refuges) shall be labeled with 
the official name at least once.  If the area is large, additional labels should be added as needed.  
If the label does not fit inside the area, the label should be placed nearby and leadered into the 
area.  The boundary of a park or other cultural feature should be labeled "PARK BOUNDARY" 
(or whatever the land use area boundary represents) along the outside, parallel to the boundary.  
If there is not enough space along the boundary, the boundary label may be omitted, but the area 
itself must always be labeled.
[February 2002]



Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Boundaries
Example
Feature
Specification
VIRGINIA
 
NORTH CAROLINA
International, State, County 
Boundary and Label
Dashing: 1.500" .050" .150" .050" .150" 
.050" 1.500"
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .030"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .020" to .030"
CITY OF SEAFORD


SUSSEX COUNTY
Corporate, Extraterritorial 
Jurisdiction, Urban Growth 
Boundary and Label
Dashing: 1.500" .050" .150" .050" 1.500"
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .030"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .020" to .030"
City of Blades
100031
Community Area Label and 
Community Identification 
Number
8 - 24 Pt. Times New Roman Bold CAPS or 
CLC
FOREST BOUNDARY

ROOSEVELT STATE 
FOREST
Forest, Park or Reservation 
Boundary, Boundary Label  
and Area Label 
(Boundary Label)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Boundary)
Line weight .015"
Dot diameter .030", spacing .400"
(Area Label)
8-24 Pt. Times New Roman CAPS or CLC
	
Horizontal Reference Grids
The assigned Mapping Partner shall ensure that the FIRM contains a primary horizontal 
reference grid and secondary horizontal reference grid ticks to orient map readers to real-world 
coordinates; the latitude and longitude in degrees, minutes, and seconds shall be referenced at 
each of the four corners of the map panel; and the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) 
reference grid (or grid ticks) are included on the FIRM.  Other reference grids (e.g., State Plane) 
may also be included.  UTM, State Plane, and latitude/longitude reference grids or grid ticks 
shall be shown on the FIRM extending to the FIRM neatline.
[February 2002]
U.S. Public Land Survey System
U.S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) features (i.e. range, township, and section lines) shall 
be shown on a digital FIRM if they are available in digital format and/or were shown on a 
previous FIRM.  The assigned Mapping Partner shall avoid mix-and-match situations where only 
some FIRM panels in a given jurisdiction contain section information.  If the selected base map 
for a Countywide FIRM does not include PLSS information, but some of the community-based 
FIRMs within the county showed this information previously, a concerted effort shall be made to 
ensure that the PLSS information is obtained and shown on the entire FIRM.  The PLSS 
information shall meet the following specifications:
*	Section numbers shall be placed in the center of the section (or portion of the section 
shown on the panel) parallel to the horizontal neatlines of the panel.
*	Township lines shall be labeled at the left and right edges of the panel along both sides of 
the line.
*	Range lines shall be labeled at the top and bottom edges of the panel along both sides of 
the line.
*	Range, township, and section lines shall be terminated at the panel neatline and at the 
political boundaries of the subject community.
If the community being studied uses a PLSS grid, the primary grid shown on the FIRM shall be 
the PLSS.  Otherwise, the primary horizontal reference grid shall be the same as the coordinate 
system of the digital data.  For example, if the digital files are referenced to the UTM coordinate 
system, a UTM grid shall be shown on the map.  If the digital files are referenced to the State 
Plane coordinate system, a State Plane grid of Northings and Eastings shall be shown on the 
map.  
If the community being studied uses a PLSS grid, the secondary grid ticks shall be the same as 
the coordinate system of the digital data.  When digital files are referenced to the UTM 
coordinate system, UTM grid ticks shall be shown as cross hairs within the body of the map and 
ticks along the edge.  State Plane grid ticks are not required but may also be shown along the 
edges of the panel.  When the digital files are referenced to the State Plane coordinate system, 
both UTM and State Plane grid ticks shall be required. 
If the community does not use a PLSS grid, the secondary grid ticks shall be shown as cross 
hairs within the body of the map and ticks along the edge.  When the primary grid is UTM, the 
secondary grid ticks shall be State Plane.  When the primary grid is State Plane, the secondary 
grid ticks shall be UTM.
The grid interval shown on the FIRM shall not vary between panels within the same FIRM even 
if the panels are shown at different scales.  Generally, a UTM grid interval of 1,000 meters and a 
State Plane grid interval of 5,000 feet shall be used.

Base Map Features
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Horizontal Reference Grids
Example
Feature
Specification

Range, Township, Section 
Line
 (DOQ)
Line weight .008"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .004" to .006"
R. 43 W.  T. 22 N.
Range, Township Number
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
15 15 15 15 15
Section Number
8, 10, 14, 18, 24 Pt. Arial 

Horizontal Reference Grid 
 (DOQ
Line weight .008"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006"

Horizontal Reference Grid 
Ticks
Line weight .020"
Length .300"
4276 000 M
Horizontal Reference Grid 
Coordinates (UTM)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
365,000 FT
Horizontal Reference Grid 
Coordinates (State Plane)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
80? 16' 52.5"
Corner Coordinates 
(Latitude, Longitude)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS

[February 2002]


Other Base Map Features and Notes 
The following features and notes shall be added to the FIRM as needed. 

Other Base Map Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
SHIP ISLAND
Name of Large Island
14 - 24 Pt. Arial CAPS
Green Island
Name of Small Island
8 - 11 Pt. Arial CAPS or 
CLC
Cape Cod
Name of Point, Cape, Neck
8 - 24 Pt. Arial CAPS or 
CLC
Lost Canyon
Name of Gulch, Canyon, Draw
8 - 10 Pt. Arial CAPS or 
CLC
CORPORATE LIMITS COINCIDENT 
WITH SHORELINE
This note is used when the corporate 
limits of a community or county 
boundary are coincident with a coastal 
shoreline.  In these cases, only the 
shoreline is shown; the community 
boundary is not shown.  See Section K.7 
for coincident flood hazard features 
notes.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
THIS AREA 
SHOWN AT A 
SCALE OF (scale) 
ON MAP 
NUMBER (number)
This note is used in the blank area of a 
breakout panel.  The map number 
includes the 10-digit map number 
without the suffix.  See Section K.1.4 for 
a discussion of map scales, map layout, 
and FIRM tiling.
24 Pt. Arial CAPS


BENTON COLLEGE
Significant Outlined Landmark and 
Name
8 Pt. Arial Italics CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .008"
 
River Mile Marker
Dot Diameter .030"  to 
.090" 
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
 
Gaging Station (shown if referenced in 
the hydrologic analysis)
Diameter .100"

[February 2002]
K.4.2	Flood Hazard Features
	This subsection provides guidance for showing floodplains and regulatory floodways, flood 
insurance risk zone labels, Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), cross sections, limits of study, coastal 
transects, and other items needed to depict hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, and contains a 
table of their graphic specifications.  
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.1	Floodplains and Floodways 
	The 1-percent-annual-chance (100-year) and 0.2-percent-annual-chance (500-year) floodplain 
boundaries must be shown on the FIRM.  The boundaries of Zone D areas must be shown unless 
they abut the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain, in which case the 1-percent-annual-chance 
floodplain boundary shall take precedence.
	Regulatory floodways shall be shown on the FIRM and, at cross-section locations, must agree 
with the values shown on the Floodway Data table in the FIS report within a maximum tolerance 
of five percent of the map scale or five percent of the distance, whichever is greater.  When the 
1-percent-annual-chance and regulatory floodway boundaries converge such that they become 
coincident, only the floodway boundary shall be shown. 
	The use of GIS and automated mapping techniques for the delineation of floodplain and 
floodway boundaries allows very small areas of flooding to be shown in the digital files.  
Mapping Partners must exercise some judgment in selecting which of these areas to show on the 
FIRM.  Extremely small areas may be eliminated in some cases.  However, in general, all 0.2-
percent-annual-chance floodplain areas that are adjacent to 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain 
areas, no matter how thin, must be retained in the digital files.
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.2	Flood Hazard Information Based on Future-Conditions Analyses

At the request of a community and with the approval of FEMA, FIRMs may include, for 
informational purposes, flood hazard areas based on projected- or future-conditions hydrologic 
and hydraulic analyses.  If community officials request that FEMA show the future-conditions 1-
percent-annual-chance floodplains on the FIRM, the future-conditions floodplains and flood 
insurance risk zone shall be shown on the FIRM and referenced in the accompanying FIS report.  
Although graphic specifications are flexible for the mapping of this flood insurance risk zone, 
the zone label will be "Zone X (Future Base Flood)."  The future-conditions flood insurance risk 
zone shall be defined in the FIRM legend as follows: 

Zone X (Future Base Flood) is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to 
the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplains that are determined based on future-
conditions hydrology.  No BFEs or base flood depths are shown within this zone.

FEMA opted to use the Zone X (shaded) screen, in lieu of a new flood hazard zone designation, 
to depict the future-conditions 1-percent-annual-chance (100-year) floodplain to minimize 
confusion by users of the FIRM that make determinations regarding Federal mandatory flood 
insurance purchase requirements. Those users now recognize that areas designated as Zone X 
(shaded) are floodprone, but that the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement does not 
apply.  Because the risk premium rates for buildings located in the future-conditions 1-percent-
annual-chance (100-year) floodplain will be the rate comparable to other areas outside the 
SFHA, FEMA believes designating these areas as "Zone X (Future Base Flood)" will be 
sufficient distinction.

[February 2002]

K.4.2.3	Zone Labels
	All zone areas shall be labeled at least once with their appropriate flood zone and static elevation 
or depth, if appropriate. Zone labels should be repeated as necessary for clarity in large or 
complicated areas.  
	Very thin areas of 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain that border 1-percent-annual-chance 
floodplain areas shall be labeled where the areas become wide enough to be seen at the printed 
map scale.
	In the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplains, the floodway fringe areas should not be considered 
separate areas requiring labels.  One zone label should be sufficient for both the regulatory 
floodway and the floodway fringe.
	When it is necessary to leader a label to isolated Zone X areas (shaded and unshaded) or clusters 
of Zone A areas, one label with two or more leaders may be used.
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.4	Base Flood Elevations
	BFEs of increasing elevation values shall be shown in floodplains as wavy lines perpendicular to 
the flow of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood.  All BFEs should be labeled with an elevation 
value that is located above, below, or at the end of the line (i.e., where it meets the 1-percent-
annual-chance floodplain boundary).  If the BFE value cannot be placed within 0.1 inch of the 
BFE line, a leader line should be used to connect the BFE value to the BFE line.  BFEs in 
floodplains with uniform elevations shall be shown as static (single) values.  The value shall be 
placed below the zone label.
	The basic intent of plotting BFEs on a FIRM is to represent the Flood Profile to within 0.5 foot 
of elevation tolerance.  If BFEs are plotted correctly, the FIRM can be used to recreate the flood 
profile within 0.5 foot.
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.5	Cross Sections
	Cross sections shall be shown on the FIRM for all watercourses for which regulatory floodways 
have been determined.  Cross-section locations and designations must correspond exactly to 
those shown on the Flood Profiles and in the Floodway Data tables presented in the FIS Report.  
The distances between cross sections and those between cross sections and physical features 
shown on the FIRM must agree with those shown on the Profiles within a maximum tolerance of 
5 percent of the distance measured on the FIRM or FBFM.
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.6	Cross-Section Labeling
	Cross sections for each stream studied by detailed methods shall be labeled alphabetically from 
the downstream to the upstream limit of the study.  At the request of a community and with the 
approval of the Project Officer, cross sections may also be labeled numerically.  The typical 
numbering sequence is from the downstream to the upstream limit of study using the stream 
distance value at that location.   Cross sections shall be labeled on the map with a hexagon at 
each end of the cross-section line.  If there is not enough space to add a hexagon on each end, a 
hexagon may be placed on only one end.  Cross-section hexagons shall be oriented so that the 
letter or number can be clearly read and is not upside down.  If necessary to achieve this, the 
cross-section line should be trimmed or bent once it crosses the 0.2-percent-annual-chance 
boundary.  Cross-section letters or numbers may follow the orientation of the hexagon or may be 
placed parallel to the bottom of the map sheet (0?).
	Cross-section lines shall cross the entire floodplain (past the limits of the 0.2-percent-annual-
chance whenever possible).  If the cross-section line cannot exit either side of the floodplain on 
the panel, the hexagon should be placed in the middle of the cross-section line and the line 
removed behind the hexagon.  All graphic adjustments to cross sections shall remain separate 
from modeled cross-section locations that are stored in the FIRM GIS files.  
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.7	Limit of Detailed Study and Limit of Study
	Limit of Detailed Study labels shall be placed at the beginning and at the end of every area 
studied by detailed methods, when the terminus is indicated on the Flood Profile.  Note that 
implied Limits of Detailed Study occur where the detailed study stops because of a stream 
confluence or when the stream exits the FIRM, and these situations should not be labeled on the 
FIRM.  Also note that the same rules apply to Flood Profiles.  A Limit of Detailed Study shall be 
depicted as a zone boundary and labeled as a Limit of Detailed Study when it divides areas of 
different zone designations (e.g., Zone AE from Zone A).  
	Limit of Study labels should be used whenever the study (approximate or detailed) ends abruptly 
and has no corresponding Flood Profile.  This situation occurs most often along streams studied 
by approximate methods but can also occur on backwater arms of detailed studied streams.  
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.8	Coastal Transects
	For coastal flood hazard studies, the assigned Mapping Partner shall perform an evaluation of the 
effects of waves accompanying the storm surge flood event on BFEs and hazard zones.  The 
wave analyses performed shall be referenced in the FIS report and mapped on the FIRM.  Wave 
transects shall be located with careful consideration of physical and cultural characteristics of the 
land so that they will closely represent conditions at those locations.  Transect lines shall be 
delineated and labeled on the FIRM to identify the physical location of the wave transects 
described in the FIS Report.  
	The transect delineation on the FIRM should also help users to determine which wave transect 
analysis may influence or directly affect their property or area of interest.  The wave effects 
mapped for any transect begin at the shoreline and end at the limits of 1-percent-annual-chance 
flood hazards, even though the actual transect line on the FIRM extends further seaward and 
landward of the flood hazard areas.
	[February 2002]
K.4.2.9	Coastal Transect Labeling
	Coastal transect numbers shall be placed in a circle on both ends of the transect line.  If both ends 
of the line cannot be labeled due to space limitations, one label at either end or a label placed in 
the middle of the transect line with the line removed behind the circle should be sufficient.  
Transect numbers may follow the orientation of the transect line or may be placed parallel to the 
bottom of the map sheet (0?).  
	Transect numbering should generally proceed consecutively from north to south or west to east 
along a shoreline.  New coastal transects inserted between existing transects should be numbered 
with an alphanumeric sequence (i.e., transects 5A and 5B might be inserted between existing 
transects 5 and 6). 
	If constraints due to clutter limit the visibility of the transect lines on the FIRM, a Transect 
Location Map shall be used to portray the transects.  Depending upon the coastal area to be 
shown, this map may be an 8 1/2" x 11" page or 11"x17" foldout page placed in the FIS report.  
When a Transect Location Map is used, the FIRM GIS files include the transects in their correct 
geographic location relative to the other FIRM features.  Refer to Appendix J for additional 
information on the Transect Location Map.
	The table below provides examples of these flood hazard map features and their graphic 
portrayal on FIRMs.  Two sets of examples, one for FIRMs that are DOQ-based and one for 
those that are non-DOQ-based are provided.  In general, the non-DOQ-based examples also 
apply to FIRMs that are produced manually.  Specific exceptions to this are individually noted.  
Color shall be used to distinguish certain flood hazard features on DOQ-based FIRMs.  Bold 
type fonts surrounded by a white halo shall be used on DOQ-based FIRMs.  Medium type fonts 
shall be used on non-DOQ-based FIRMs where the gray shading used for flood hazard areas 
allows them to show more clearly. 
	All flood hazard features shall be shown on the FIRM in black unless otherwise indicated.
	
Flood Hazard Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
(DOQ)
 
(Non-DOQ)




1% annual chance Flood Hazard Area 
(Zones A, AE, AO, AH, AR, A99, V, 
and VE)
(DOQ)
Area fill pattern
Dot Diameter .020"
Spacing .030"
Offset between rows 
.025"
Color: Cyan
(Non-DOQ)
50% 133 lines per inch 
screen tint or equivalent 
area fill pattern

(DOQ)

(Non-DOQ)


1% annual chance Flood Hazard 
Boundary Line
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
Color: Cyan
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"
LIMIT OF STUDY
LIMIT OF DETAILED STUDY
(DOQ)

(Non-DOQ)
The Limit of Study note is used to 
indicate the truncated terminus of a 
1% annual chance floodplain of a 
stream or backwater area that has not 
been independently studied by detailed 
analyses (e.g., no flood profile is 
associated with this location).
The Limit of Detailed Study note is 
used to indicate the terminus of a 1% 
annual chance floodplain of a stream 
that has been studied by detailed 
methods.  The stream name may also 
be added to this note for clarity.
(Label)
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Line - DOQ)
Line weight .020"
Color: Cyan
(Line - Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"
Color: Black
(DOQ)
 
(Non-DOQ)
 

Boundary Dividing SFHAs of Different 
Elevations, Velocities, or Depths
Color: White
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"
(DOQ)
 
(Non-DOQ)



0.2% annual chance Flood Hazard Area 
(shaded Zone X)
(DOQ)
Area fill pattern
Dots .020" diameter
Spacing .030"
Offset between rows 
.025"
(Non-DOQ)
20% 133 lines per inch 
screen tint or equivalent 
area fill pattern

0.2% annual chance Flood Hazard 
Boundary Line
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"

Areas Outside 1% or 0.2% annual 
chance Flood Hazard Areas (Zone X, D)
No screen or tint
 
Zone D Boundary
Dash .500", space .050
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"
(DOQ)
 

(Non-DOQ)
 
Floodway Area
(DOQ)
Area fill pattern
Dots .020" diameter
Spacing .030"
Offset between rows 
.025"
Color: Cyan
Surprinted with diagonal 
hatching at 45 angle
10 lines per inch
Line weight .010"
Color: White
(Non-DOQ)
50% 133 lines per inch 
screen tint or equivalent 
area fill pattern
Surprinted with diagonal 
hatching at 45
10 lines per inch,
Line weight .004"  to 
.010"
 

Colorado River Floodway
Area fill pattern
Diagonal cross-hatching 
at 45 and 135 angles
10 lines per inch
Line weight .010"
(DOQ)
 
(Non-DOQ)
 
Floodway Boundary Line
Dash .375", space .050"
(DOQ)
Line weight .020"
Color: Cyan
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .015"




LIMIT OF FLOODWAY

The Limit of Floodway note is used 
to indicate the terminus of a floodway 
in an area where the detailed analysis 
extends beyond the end of the 
floodway.
(Label)
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
Line Color: Black
(Line - DOQ)
Line weight .004"
 (Line - Non-DOQ)
Line weight .004" to 
.006"
ZONE AE
Zone Designation
11 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
(EL 10)
(DEPTH 2')
(VEL 15 FPS)
Static Base Flood Elevation, Depth, or 
Velocity
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
 
Base Flood Elevation Line
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"  to 
.030"
646
Base Flood Elevation Value
10 Pt. Arial Italics
 
Cross Section
Hexagon .200" across
10 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"
 
Coastal Transect
10 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
Circle Diameter .200"
Dash .050", space .010"
(DOQ)
Line weight .017"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .010"
 
Arrowhead Leader
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006"
 
Dot Leader
Dot Diameter .020"
(DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006"
FLOODING EFFECTS FROM 
(source name)

This note is used: 1) where the 
detailed flooding source is physically 
located outside of the community and 
cannot be shown on the FIRM panels, 
2) where the flooding source is located 
within the study area but is shown 
more than one full panel away from 
the floodplain to be labeled, or 3) in 
countywide studies where the flooding 
source is shown on a panel that a 
community will not receive.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
FLOODWAY IN THIS AREA TOO 
NARROW TO SHOW TO SCALE; 
REFER TO FLOODWAY DATA 
TABLE
This note is used to indicate that map 
scale limitations do not allow the 
visible and accurate portrayal of the 
actual width of the floodway.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
1% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD DISCHARGE 
CONTAINED IN CHANNEL
1% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD DISCHARGE 
CONTAINED IN CULVERT
These notes are used to indicate where 
the 1% annual chance flood discharges 
do not overtop the channel banks or 
are completely contained within a 
culvert pipe.  This area may be 
bordered by a 0.2% annual chance 
floodplain.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
0.2% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD 
DISCHARGE CONTAINED IN CHANNEL
0.2% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD 
DISCHARGE CONTAINED IN CULVERT
These notes are used to indicate where 
both the 1% and 0.2% annual chance 
flood discharges do not overtop the 
channel banks or are completely 
contained within the culvert pipe.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
FLOODWAY CONTAINED IN CHANNEL
FLOODWAY CONTAINED IN CULVERT
These notes are used to indicate where 
the floodway boundaries coincide with 
the banks of a channel or where the 
floodway is contained within a culvert 
pipe.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
THIS AREA PROTECTED FROM THE 1% 
ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD BY LEVEE, DIKE 
OR OTHER STRUCTURE SUBJECT TO 
POSSIBLE FAILURE DURING LARGER 
FLOODS
This note is used to indicate that an 
area that has been shown as shaded 
Zone X on the landward side of the 
levee has an inherent flood risk in the 
event of a levee failure.
In situations where there is a 
substantial area of 0.2% annual chance 
floodplain that exists in combination 
with the area protected from the 1% 
annual chance flood, the note below 
may be substituted.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
THIS AREA INCLUDES AREAS PROTECTED 
FROM THE 1% ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD 
BY LEVEE, DIKE, OR OTHER STRUCTURE 
SUBJECT TO FAILURE DURING LARGER 
FLOODS
This note is normally used in 
combination with a dashed line to 
identify and differentiate the 0.2% 
annual chance floodplain area from the 
area that is protected from the 1% 
annual chance flood.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
COASTAL BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS 
APPLY ONLY LANDWARD OF 0.0 FEET 
(NGVD / NAVD)
This note is used to indicate where a 
wave height analysis is in effect.  The 
note varies according to the vertical 
datum used, and is placed on the map 
panel near the shoreline of the open 
body of water.
8 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
FLOOD HAZARD INFORMATION IS 
NOT SHOWN ON THIS MAP IN 
AREAS OUTSIDE OF 
[community/county name]

This note is used on DOQ-based 
FIRM panels that are only partially 
covered by the studied jurisdiction.  
The note is added in areas outside the 
jurisdiction to clarify that flood 
hazards may exist outside the 
jurisdictional boundary but are not 
shown on this map.  On a countywide 
study, if the area is adjacent to a 
dual/multiple-county community 
shown in its entirety, include both the 
community name and the name of the 
county (community name AND 
county name).  This note shall not to 
be used in addition to or in place of 
Area Not Included labeling.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
FLOOD HAZARD 
INFORMATION IS 
SHOWN WITHIN THE 
[community name] FOR 
INFORMATION ONLY.  
FOR FLOOD 
INSURANCE, REFER TO 
SEPARATELY PRINTED 
FLOOD INSURANCE 
RATE MAP FOR THE 
[community name].
This note is retained on countywide 
map panels, if applicable, to indicate 
that the named community is not 
included in the FIS because portions 
of it are also located within one or 
more other counties that currently are 
not in the countywide mapping format.  
This note should not be added to new 
countywide FIRMs because it 
corresponds to a method of handling 
multiple-county communities that is 
no longer used.
14 Pt. Arial CAPS
FLOOD INSURANCE 
INFORMATION ON THIS 
MAP APPLIES ONLY TO 
THE AREAS WITHIN THE 
CORPORATE LIMITS OF 
THE [community name].  
SPECIAL FLOOD 
HAZARD AREAS ARE 
SHOWN OUTSIDE OF 
THE [community name] FOR 
PLANNING PURPOSES 
ONLY.
This note is used on a FIRM when a 
Standard Format FBFM panel that 
showed additional flood hazard 
information outside of the jurisdiction 
being studied is now being combined 
with the FIRM in Map Initiatives 
format.  The flood hazard information 
outside the studied jurisdiction may be 
kept on the map at FEMA's discretion.
14 Pt. Arial CAPS

[February 2002]

K.4.3	Map Body Features and Notes
	The following notes shall be added to the FIRM as needed to clarify flood hazard areas or 
features within the flood hazard areas, or to help locate related information on the FIRM.
	
Map Body Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
JOINS PANEL (panel number)
Panel Neatline and Joins Panel note: 
This note is used along each neatline of 
the map panel to indicate the number of 
the adjacent panel.  The panel number 
includes only the 4-digit panel number 
and not the community number or the 5-
digit FIPS code used for countywide 
FIRMs.  In cases where more than one 
panel joins the subject panel (as is the 
case where a smaller scale panel abuts 
two larger scale panels), more than one 
"Joins Panel" note is shown along a 
single neatline.
(Note)
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Neatline - DOQ)
Line weight .010"
(Neatline - Non-DOQ)
Line weight .006"


STATE ENCROACHMENT LINE

FLOWAGE EASEMENT BOUNDARY
These or similar notes are used to 
label the boundary of areas in which a 
community enforces more restrictive 
criteria for floodplain management 
than the minimum requirements of the 
NFIP.
(Label)
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
(State Encroachment 
Line)
Line weight .010"
Circle diameter .060"
(Flowage Easement 
Boundary Line)
Line weight .010" to .020"
ZONE D BOUNDARY 
COINCIDENT    WITH 
CORPORATE LIMITS
This is an example of a note that may 
be used to clarify coincident features.  
Roads that are coincident with other 
features generally do not need to be 
clarified by notes.  See Section 
K.4.1.2 for an example of a coincident 
political boundary note.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
PROFILE BASE LINE
 
This note is used to identify a line on a 
map panel that indicates the modeled 
flow path of a stream when it does not 
coincide with the hydrographic feature 
shown on the map.   The profile base 
line is used to represent channel 
distances as indicated on the Flood 
Profiles and Floodway Data tables.  It 
is shown as a single line with one dash 
and labeled "Profile Base Line."   A 
profile base line may be added to 
detailed studied streams for the 
following reasons:
The hydraulic model reflects a more 
direct flow path than the channel 
configuration shown on the map.  This 
is most often the case when the stream 
displays extensive meandering;
An island splits the river shoreline.  
The profile base line is used to 
identify the main channel;
A lake through which a stream flows 
is present, and the reservoir routing 
modeling method has been used to 
effect a continuous Flood Profile;  or
The flood flow path is undefined on 
the map but the flow path has been 
modeled.
(Line label)
8 Pt. Arial CAPS
(Line)
Line weight .010"
Dashing: 1" .050" .100" 
.050" 1"

[February 2002]
K.4.4	Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Components
	In cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior, FEMA transfers CBRS boundaries to 
FIRMs using Congressionally adopted CBRS source maps.  FIRMs clearly depict the different 
CBRS areas and their effective dates with special map notes and symbologies.  It should be 
noted that although FEMA shows CBRS areas on FIRMs, the U.S. Congress is the only entity 
that may authorize a revision to CBRS boundaries.
	This Appendix uses the terms "Coastal Barriers" and "Coastal Barrier Resources System" units 
(CBRS).  These terms are intended to be inclusive of all classifications of Coastal Barriers within 
the CBRS, including areas designated as Otherwise Protected Areas (OPAs).  For additional 
information regarding the CBRS, see Volume 2, Section 2.2 of these Guidelines.
	[February 2002]
K.4.4.1	Coastal Barrier Resources System Boundaries
	The CBRS source maps show direct horizontal relationships between existing houses and the 
CBRS unit boundaries; these relationships must be maintained.  Most often, the Coastal Barrier 
boundary has been delineated to keep existing homes out of the designated Coastal Barrier.
	The CBRS source maps use thick lines to represent CBRS unit boundaries.  Although standard 
cartographic practice is to follow the center of a boundary, if the boundary has a direct 
relationship with a linework feature (such as being against the edge of a road), that relationship 
must be maintained, even if it means the edge of the boundary line shown on the CBRS source 
map will be used.
	Boundary lines must be shown to differentiate between contiguous barriers of different 
classifications, because each CBRS classification carries a different insurance prohibition.  All 
barriers must be labeled or identified by notes that identify the CBRS classification of each area. 
	[February 2002]
K.4.4.2	Map Screens for Coastal Barrier Resources System Areas 
	Although there are several different types of Coastal Barriers, there are only two unique map 
screens.  Coastal Barriers shall be portrayed with the two map symbols shown below to 
differentiate between CBRS and OPA units, which contain differing prohibitions.  The CBRS 
and OPA prohibition dates (i.e., the date that the CBRS or OPA area was originally designated) 
shall be shown within each separate CBRS and OPA unit to assist users in determining the 
proper insurance prohibition date for each unit.
	
	
	
	
	FIRMs prepared after 1991 and prior to November 2000 show three unique map screens to 
reflect the three classifications of CBRS units.  The three screens are as follows:
	
	Because the official CBRS source maps may show CBRS boundaries open to the sea, CBRS 
screens should not be terminated at shorelines unless the shoreline is coincident with the CBRS 
or OPA boundary.  The boundaries and screens shall extend into the open water to the edge of 
the SFHA screen unless the Coastal Barrier boundary is closed on the official CBRS map and 
includes areas beyond the limit of the SFHA screen.
	[February 2002]
K.4.4.3	Coastal Barrier Notes for the Body of the FIRM
	CBRS and OPA notes shall be located, whenever possible, on or near the land area, and shall not 
overprint existing base or floodplain features.  When the note cannot be located on the land area 
because of space and clarity considerations, the note shall be placed in the open water within the 
CBRS or OPA screen, near the land area.  When the note cannot be placed within the CBRS or 
OPA screen without creating overprints, the note shall be leadered to the land area.
	
CBRS Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 
STRUCTURES NEWLY BUILT OR SUBSTANTIALLY 
IMPROVED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1983, IN 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS.
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1983 CBRS unit.  An abbreviated note 
(see below) accompanied by a special 
Coastal Barrier Legend may be used 
instead.  See Section K.5.1.1 for 
examples of the Coastal Barrier Legend.
7 Pt. Arial CAPS
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE FOR NEW 
CONSTRUCTION OR SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED 
STRUCTURES ON OR AFTER (date), IN 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1990 or later CBRS unit.  An 
abbreviated note (see below) 
accompanied by a special Coastal 
Barrier Legend may be used instead.  
See Section K.5.1.1 for examples of the 
Coastal Barrier Legend.
7 Pt. Arial CAPS
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 
STRUCTURES - NEWLY BUILT OR 
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED ON OR AFTER (date) 
- NOT USED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH 
THE PURPOSE OF THE OTHERWISE PROTECTED 
AREAS.
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1991 or later Otherwise Protected 
Area.  An abbreviated note (see below) 
accompanied by a special Coastal 
Barrier Legend may be used instead.  
See Section K.5.1.1 for examples of the 
Coastal Barrier Legend.
7 Pt. Arial CAPS
COASTAL BARRIER     
RESOURCES SYSTEM
BOUNDARY COINCIDENT
WITH CORPORATE LIMITS
This note is an example of one that may 
be used to clarify coincident features.  
See Section K.4.1.2 for an example of a 
coincident political boundary note.
10 Pt. Arial CAPS
COASTAL BARRIER 
IDENTIFIED (date)
(SEE COASTAL BARRIER LEGEND)
This is the abbreviated Coastal Barrier 
note for 1983 or 1990 or later Coastal 
Barriers.  This note is used on all FIRM 
panels containing CBRS areas for a 
community with more than one different 
prohibition date.  When this procedure is 
used, a special Coastal Barrier Legend is 
placed below the Notes to Users section 
of the FIRM border.  This legend shows 
the entire CBRS map note for each 
classification of CBRS unit present on 
all of the FIRM panels in the community 
or county.  See Section K.5.1.1 for 
examples of the Coastal Barrier Legend.
7 Pt. Verdana Bold CAPS
OTHERWISE PROTECTED AREA 
IDENTIFIED (date) 
(SEE COASTAL BARRIER LEGEND)
This is the abbreviated note for 1991or 
later Otherwise Protected Areas.  This 
note is used on all FIRM panels 
containing CBRS areas for a community 
with more than one different prohibition 
date.  When this procedure is used, a 
special Coastal Barrier Legend is placed 
below the Notes to Users section of the 
FIRM border.  This legend shows the 
entire CBRS map note for each 
classification of OPA present on all of 
the FIRM panels in the community or 
county.  See Section K.5.1.1 for 
examples of the Coastal Barrier Legend.
7 Pt. Verdana Bold CAPS
THIS AREA IS CONTAINED WITHIN 
THE COASTAL BARRIER 
RESOURCES SYSTEM
This note is used on FIRM panels when 
a Coastal Barrier overlaps an area of 
floodway.
10 Pt. Arial Bold CLC
Comments or concerns regarding 
the Coastal Barrier Resources 
System or Otherwise Protected 
Area should be directed to the 
Coastal Barrier Coordinator at 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 
(_ _ _) _ _ _-_ _ _ _.

This note refers map users to the Fish 
and Wildlife Service's Regional Coastal 
Barrier Coordinator.  It is placed in the 
body of the FIRM panel close to the 
CBRS units.  If the abbreviated Coastal 
Barrier notes and special Coastal Barrier 
Legend are used, this note appears below 
the Coastal Barrier Legend.  See Section 
K.5.1.1 for examples of the Coastal 
Barrier Legend.
	The phone number is inserted into the 
above note as follows:
(413) 253-8657	CT, DE, MA, ME, 
MD, NJ, NY, RI, 
VA
(404) 679-7106	AL, FL, GA, LA, 
MS, NC, PR, SC, 
VI
(612) 713-5350	MI, MN, OH, 	WI
(505) 248-6454	TX
10 Pt. Tahoma Bold CLC
 
Coastal Barrier Resources System Area
Area fill pattern
Diagonal hatching at 135 
angle 
8 to 10 lines per inch
Line weight .006" to 
.010"
 
Otherwise Protected Area
Area fill pattern
Broken diagonal hatching 
at 135 angle 
8 to 10 lines per inch
Line weight .006" to 010" 
Dash .130" to .150" space 
.750" to .850"
 
Coastal Barrier Boundary
Dotted line  
Diameter .0875" spacing 
.0335"

Coastal Barrier Boundary on Manual 
FIRM
Line weight .015"

[February 2002]


K.5	Map Legend
The map legend shall contain those items that are needed to assist the map user in interpreting 
map symbols, flood hazard screens, linework, flood hazard zone information, and other data 
within the body of the map.  Planimetric data (such as railroads and political boundaries) shall 
not be included in the FIRM legend.
Most of the FIRM legend elements are standardized and do not vary.   However, the content of 
the FIRM legend varies slightly based on the chosen base map, its coordinate system and 
horizontal datum, the vertical datum used for the study, community variables (e.g., map 
repository, previous FIRM editions), whether Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) areas 
are included on the map, and the map scale. 
The figures on the following pages contain examples of map legends for the following different 
types of FIRMs:
*	Countywide DFIRM, DOQ Base Map (Figure K-17);
*	Countywide DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map (Figure K-18);
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, DOQ Base Map, Map Revised (Figure K-19);
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map, Effective Date (Figure K-20);
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map, Map Revised (Figure K-21);
*	Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM, Map Initiatives Format, Map Revised (Figure K-22); 
and
*	Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM, Standard Format (Figure K-23);.



 




Figure K-17. Countywide DFIRM, DOQ Base Map Legend 


 


Figure K-18. Countywide DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map Legend



Figure K-19. Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, DOQ Base Map, Map Revised Legend 


 Figure K-20.  Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map


Figure K-21. Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map, Map Revised Legend 
























Figure K-22. Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM, Map Initiatives Format, Map 
Revised Legend 
























Figure K-23.  Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM, Standard Format Legend
[February 2002]
K.5.1	Map Legend Components
The Map Legend provides the user with explanations of flood hazard feature representations as 
they are depicted on the FIRM or FBFM.  The following components shall appear in the legend:
*	Flood hazard area and CBRS area screen descriptions;
*	Flood hazard zones descriptions;
*	Floodplain, regulatory floodway, zone, and CBRS boundary descriptions;
*	BFE and elevation labels, including a clear statement of the vertical datum used;
*	Cross-section and transect labels;
*	Geographic coordinate and primary and secondary horizontal reference grid labels, with 
notes stating the reference grids and projection used;
*	Bench marks;
*	River mile markers;
*	Map repository notes;
*	NFIP map dates;
*	Map revision notes;
*	General FIRM legend notes;
*	North arrow; and
*	Map scale.
Map Revision notes document the reasons for past and present FIRM revisions.  The assigned 
Mapping Partner shall use one or more of the notes in the table below to explain why a panel was 
revised.  Only one date is required when more than one note is used.  All dates shall be written 
out in their entirety.
The map revision notes that are used for each FIRM revision shall be date-specific rather than 
panel-specific.  All actions occurring on a specific date shall be combined into one map revision 
note and used on all panels for that particular revision.  In addition, notes shall not be used on the 
first production of a countywide FIRM, even though these changes have occurred within the 
Flood Map Project that led to the countywide FIRM being developed.



Map Legend Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
LEGEND
Legend title 
18 Pt. Verdana CAPS 
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS 
SUBJECT TO....
Screen descriptions
10 Pt. Tahoma CAPS 
ZONE AE
Zone labels
8 Pt. Arial Bold  CAPS
Base Flood Elevations determined.
Zone and other map feature 
descriptions
8 Pt. Tahoma CLC
1% annual chance floodplain boundary
SFHA boundary description
8 Pt. Tahoma LC
MAP REPOSITORY
Thomasville City Hall, 10 Salem Street, 
Thomasville, North Carolina 27360 (Maps 
available for reference only, not for distribution.)
This is an example of the Map 
Repository note used for single-
jurisdiction or non-countywide 
FIRMs.   The complete address of the 
map repository is included in the 
legend. The disclaimer, as stated, 
follows the address. Note that the 
Map Repository should be a street 
address and not a PO box.
8 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
MAP REPOSITORY
Refer to listing of Map Repositories on Map 
Index
This note explains the location of the 
Map Repository note used for 
countywide maps.  The map 
repository address for each 
community in the county is listed on 
the Map Index.   See Section K.3.2 
for an example of map repository 
listings used on the Map Index. 
8 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
INITIAL IDENTIFICATION
February 11, 1977
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP 
REVISIONS 
None

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP EFFECTIVE
July 3, 1985

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP REVISIONS
December 20, 2000 - to add Base Flood 
Elevations, floodway, and Special Flood Hazard 
Areas; to change zone designations and Special 
Flood Hazard Areas; to update map format; and 
to reflect updated topographic information.
These headings and listings of NFIP 
map dates are used for manual 
single-jurisdiction studies. Historical 
map dates shall be listed in the FIRM 
legend for each printed panel.  Dates 
may be supplied from various 
sources including the previous 
effective map.  Standard map 
revision notes are provided below.   
See Section K.5.1.1 for standard 
Coastal Barrier revision notes.
8 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
INITIAL NFIP MAP DATE
February 11, 1977
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP 
REVISIONS

None
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP EFFECTIVE
July 3, 1985

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP REVISIONS
December 20, 2000 - to add Base Flood 
Elevations, floodway, and Special Flood Hazard 
Areas; to change zone designations and Special 
Flood Hazard Areas; to update map format; and 
to reflect updated topographic information.
The Initial NFIP Map Date heading 
will be used on all digital single-
jurisdiction studies.
8 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
EFFECTIVE DATE OF COUNTYWIDE FLOOD 
INSURANCE RATE MAP 
June 28, 1995
EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF REVISION(S) TO 
THIS PANEL
August 23, 1999 - to update corporate limits, to 
change Base Flood Elevations and Special 
Flood Hazard Areas, to update map format, to 
add roads and road names, to incorporate 
previously issued Letters of Map Revision, and 
to modify Coastal Barrier Resources System 
units.
These headings and listings of NFIP 
map dates are used for countywide 
studies. See Appendix J for 
information on previous historical 
map dates for countywides.
8 Pt. Arial CAPS and CLC
January 31, 2001 - to update corporate limits
This note is used any time a revised 
FIRM shows a new corporate limit 
configuration.  If an Area Not 
Included boundary is revised on the 
FIRM for the unincorporated areas of 
a county, this note specifically 
references the community (i.e., to 
update Town of Atlantic Beach 
corporate limits).  An example date 
shown in italics has been placed in 
the note for clarity.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to decrease Base Flood 
Elevations
This note is used any time existing 
BFEs have only been decreased.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to increase Base Flood 
Elevations
This note is used any time existing 
BFEs have only been increased
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to change Base Flood 
Elevations
This note is used when BFEs are 
both increasing and decreasing.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to add Base Flood 
Elevations
This note is used when BFEs are 
added to a new detailed A or V zone 
for an area previously unstudied or 
previously studied by approximate 
methods.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to add Special Flood Hazard 
Areas
This note is used when new detailed 
or approximate 1% annual chance 
flooding is added to an area 
previously unstudied.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to change Special Flood 
Hazard Areas
This note is used when the 
configuration of an existing SFHA is 
modified.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to delete Special Flood 
Hazard Areas
This note is used when an SFHA is 
entirely removed from the FIRM.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to change zone designations
This note is used when X (0.2% 
annual chance) zones are changed to 
X (no flooding) zones, or vice versa; 
when A zones are changed to X 
(0.2% annual chance) zones; and 
when A or V zones are changed to 
detailed zones (AE or VE zones).
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to update map format
This note is used when an 11" x 17" 
FIRM is remapped into a z-fold, 
when a FIRM and FBFM are 
combined into a FIRM (Map 
Initiatives or Partial Map Initiatives), 
or when the FIRM is being prepared 
using digital methods for the first 
time.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to add roads and road 
names
This note is used when new roads 
and road names are added to the 
FIRM.  "Update" instead of "add" is 
used when roads are moved or 
deleted, or when the names of roads 
change.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to include the effects of wave 
action
This note is used when a coastal 
wave height analysis has been added 
for the first time to an existing "non-
wave height" FIS.  Please note that 
revision notes covering BFE and 
SFHA additions, deletions, changes 
or modifications are not necessary 
when this note is used to describe 
changes to the FIRM resulting from 
the addition of a wave height 
analysis.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to update the effects of 
wave action
This note is used when a coastal 
wave height analysis has been 
revised.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to incorporate Primary 
Frontal Dune analysis
This note is used when an FIS is 
revised to reflect the inland limit of 
the Primary Frontal Dune.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to reflect revised shoreline
This note is used when all or part of 
the shoreline on a coastal FIRM has 
been revised.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to reflect the effects of 
coastal erosion
This note is used when coastal 
erosion has been taken into account 
in the analysis.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to add Special Flood Hazard 
Areas previously shown on (community name), 
(state) Flood Insurance Rate Map dated (date), 
(year)
This note is used when a FIRM 
revision incorporates the annexation 
of an area with special flood hazards 
that was previously shown on 
another community's FIRM.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to incorporate previously 
issued Letters of Map Revision
This note is used when 
determinations made by Letter of 
Map Revision are incorporated into 
the revised FIRM.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to reflect updated 
topographic information
This note is used when the FIRM 
revision is based, at least in part, on 
new topographic information.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to incorporate previously 
issued Letters of Map Amendment
This note is used when 
determinations made by Letter of 
Map Amendment are incorporated 
into the revised FIRM.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to add floodway
This note is used when floodway 
delineation has been added.  This 
note is used only on Map Initiatives 
format FIRMs.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to change floodway
This note is used when a floodway 
delineation change is the basis of the 
revision.  This note is used only on 
Map Initiatives format FIRMs.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
(Date of revision) - to advance suffix
This note is used when the only 
change to the FIRM is to change the 
map number suffix.  This note is used 
only with the approval of a FEMA 
Project Officer.
8 Pt. Arial CLC
For community map revision history prior to 
countywide mapping, refer to the Community 
Map History table located in the Flood Insurance 
Study Report for this jurisdiction.
This note is shown only on 
countywide FIRMs.
8 Pt. Tahoma CLC
To determine if flood insurance is available in 
this community, contact your insurance agent or 
call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-
800-638-6620.
This note is shown on all FIRMs 
above the north arrow.
8 Pt. Tahoma CLC
Refer to the FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP 
EFFECTIVE date shown on this map to 
determine when actuarial rates apply to 
structures in the zones where elevations or 
depths have been established.
This note is shown only on single-
jurisdiction FIRMs that are being 
published for the first time (i.e., 
FIRMs that show an effective date in 
the title block, not a map revised 
date).
8 Pt. Tahoma CAPS and 
CLC
 
North arrow
Lineweight .010"
Width .700"
Height .400"

The DFIRM scale bar includes 
references to both feet and meters 
and emulates the scale bar used by 
USGS on topographic quadrangles.  
The manual FIRM scale bar only 
includes the reference to feet.  Note 
that this scale bar is not shown to 
actual size.
10 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS

[February 2002]
K.5.1.1	Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Revision Notes 
The map revision notes pertaining to modifications to the Coastal Barrier Resources System are 
listed below. The Coastal Barrier revision notes matrix below provides guidance on the revision 
note to be used in the FIRM legend.  The note used depends on whether CBRS areas and/or 
OPAs are being added to or removed from the community.  Only one of the notes shown is used 
for any given community, so it must reflect the community as a whole.  These revision notes are 
not panel-specific.  They must reflect the action taken for the entire jurisdiction.

Coastal Barrier Revision Notes Matrix
Revision Note
Barrier 
Added
Barrier 
Removed1
OPA 
Added
OPA Removed1
To add Coastal Barrier Resources Areas
x



To remove Coastal Barrier Resources Areas

x


To modify Coastal Barrier Resources Areas
x
x


To add Otherwise Protected Areas


x

To remove Otherwise Protected Areas



x
To modify Otherwise Protected Areas


x
x
To add Coastal Barrier Resources Areas and 
Otherwise Protected Areas
x

x

To add Coastal Barrier Resources Areas and 
to remove Otherwise Protected Areas
x


x
To add Coastal Barrier Resources Areas and 
to modify Otherwise Protected Areas
x

x
x
To remove Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and to add Otherwise Protected Areas

x
x

To remove Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and Otherwise Protected Areas

x

x
To remove Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and to modify Otherwise Protected Areas

x
x
x
To modify Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and to add Otherwise Protected Areas
x
x
x

To modify Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and to remove Otherwise Protected Areas
x
x

x
To modify Coastal Barrier Resources Areas 
and Otherwise Protected Areas 
x
x
x
x

1This refers to any area, regardless of size, that has had the CBRS unit or OPA reduced in size in any area.
[February 2002]
K.5.1.2	Coastal Barrier Resource System Legend 
The assigned Mapping Partner shall only use the Coastal Barrier Legend shown below when the 
abbreviated Coastal Barrier notes are used on the body of the FIRM and there is more than one 
note that applies to the entire community.  It shall be placed under the Notes to Users portion of 
the frame in a separate frame area.  These notes are the same as the non-abbreviated notes used 
on the body of the FIRM shown in Section K.4.4. These revision notes are not panel-specific.  
They must reflect the action taken for the entire jurisdiction.  A Coastal Barrier Legend example 
(Figure K-24)  is provided below, followed by a table of the specifications for features and notes.

Figure K-24.  Coastal Barrier Legend


Coastal Barrier Legend Features and Notes
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
COASTAL 
BARRIER LEGEND 
Coastal Barrier legend title
18 Pt. Arial Bold CAPS
10-01-83 Coastal Barrier
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE 
FOR STRUCTURES NEWLY BUILT OR 
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED ON OR 
AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1983, IN 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS.
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1983 Coastal Barrier.  This note is 
placed in the Coastal Barrier Legend 
when the abbreviated version of this 
note is used on the body of the FIRM.
10 Pt. Arial Bold CLC 
9 Pt. Arial CAPS 
(_ _-_ _-_ _) Coastal Barrier
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE 
FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OR 
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED 
STRUCTURES ON OR AFTER (date), IN 
DESIGNATED COASTAL BARRIERS.
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1990 or later Coastal Barrier. This note 
is placed in the Coastal Barrier Legend 
when the abbreviated version of this 
note is used on the body of the FIRM.
 10 Pt. Arial Bold CLC 
9 Pt. Arial CAPS 
(_ _-_ _-_ _) Otherwise Protected 
Area
FLOOD INSURANCE NOT AVAILABLE 
FOR STRUCTURES - NEWLY BUILT OR 
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED ON OR 
AFTER (date) - NOT USED IN A 
MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE 
PURPOSE OF THE OTHERWISE 
PROTECTED AREAS.
This note identifies an area classified as 
a 1991 or later Otherwise Protected 
Area. This note is placed in the Coastal 
Barrier Legend when the abbreviated 
version of this note is used on the body 
of the FIRM.
10 Pt. Arial Bold CLC 
9 Pt. Arial  CAPS 
Comments or concerns regarding 
the Coastal Barrier Resources 
System or Otherwise Protected 
Areas should be directed to the 
Coastal Barrier Coordinator at the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; (_ _ 
_) _ _ _-_ _ _ _.

This note refers map users to the Fish 
and Wildlife Service's Regional Coastal 
Barrier Coordinator.  If the abbreviated 
Coastal Barrier notes and special Coastal 
Barrier Legend are used, this note 
appears below the Coastal Barrier 
Legend.
The phone number is inserted into the 
above note as follows:
(413) 253-8657	CT, DE, MA, ME, 
MD, NJ, NY, RI, 
VA
(404) 679-7106	AL, FL, GA, LA, 
MS, NC, PR, 
SC, VI
(612) 713-5350	MI, MN, OH, WI
(505) 248-6454  TX
10 Pt. Arial Bold CLC 
[February 2002]


K.6	Map Title Block
The FIRM title block shall contain those items that identify the community and provide panel-
specific information, including the map number and effective date of the FIRM panel.  The 
community name must include, at a minimum, the community type (e.g., city, town, village), 
community name, and full state name.  FIRMs for individual communities shall also include the 
name of the county, except in the cases of jurisdictions that are officially classified as 
"Independent."  County FIRMs may include flood hazard information only for unincorporated 
areas administered directly by the county government, or for the entire geographic area within 
the county.  "All Jurisdictions" FIRMs include flood hazard information for entire counties in 
which no separate county government exists; all land is administered by community agencies.  
The title block shall include this community information, as in the following examples of 
community naming formats :
Town of
Adams,
Pennsylvania
Jefferson County
City of
Hampton, 
Virginia
Independent City
Boone County,
Illinois
(Unincorporated Areas)
Carbon County,
Utah
And Incorporated Areas
Pike County,
Pennsylvania
(All Jurisdictions)
The following pages contain figures of sample title blocks for the following different types of 
FIRMs:
*	Countywide DFIRM (Figure K-25); 
*	Countywide DFIRM with CBRS Areas (Figure K-26);
*	Single-Jurisdiction Multi-Panel DFIRM (Figure K-27);
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, Only Panel Printed (Figure K-28); and
*	Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM (Figure K-29).
Font size and style specifications are provided in Figure K-30, "Title Block Element 
Specifications." Figures K-31 and K-32 provide important information concerning the title block 
content.

























Figure K-25. Countywide DFIRM Title Block 

























Figure K-26. Countywide DFIRM Title Block with CBRS Areas





	





















Figure K-27.  Single-Jurisdiction Multi-Panel DFIRM Title Block



 








































Figure K-28. Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM Title Block, Only Panel Printed 










































Figure K-29.  Single-Jurisdiction Manual FIRM Title Block 






















Figure K-30. Title Block Element Suggested Font Specifications 


























Figure K-31. Title Block Element Usage Notes 










































Figure K-32. Title Block Element Usage Notes 


K.7	Map Locator Diagram
Map Locator Diagrams serve the same function as a Map Index.  The assigned Mapping Partner 
shall use the Map Locator Diagram only when one panel is printed and the entire community 
does not fit inside the panel neatlines (i.e., there are non-printed panels).  











Figure K-33. Map Locator Diagram
The following guidelines shall be followed when preparing a Map Locator Diagram:
*	The diagram shall be located in the title block, whenever possible.
*	Because the Map Locator Diagram replaces the Map Index, the panels shall be numbered 
using four-digit panel numbers (for example, 0001) and include suffixes.
*	Applicable Panel Not Printed notes, presented in Section K.3.1, shall be used to explain 
the non-printed panel(s).
*	The panel that is printed shall be indicated with a screen.
[February 2002]



K.8	Notes to Users
The "Notes to Users" section of the FIRM provides map users with general information about 
specific items on the FIRM, background and reference information about sources of data used to 
prepare the FIRM, and sources of additional information pertinent to specific items on the FIRM 
(e.g., bench marks).  Key words shall be identified within the body of each note and highlighted 
in bold to assist the user in finding notes of interest.
The figures on the following pages contain sample Notes to Users for the following different 
types of FIRMs:
*	Countywide DFIRM, DOQ Base Map (Figure K-34); 
*	Countywide DFIRM, Non-DOQ Base Map (Figure K-35);  
*	Single-Jurisdiction Multi-Panel DFIRM, DOQ Base Map (Figure K-36); and
*	Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM, DOQ Base Map, Only Panel Printed (Figure K-37).
 Figure K-34. Countywide DFIRM Notes to Users, DOQ Base Map 

Figure K-35. Countywide DFIRM Notes to Users, Non-DOQ Base Map 



Figure K-36. Single-Jurisdiction Multi-Panel DFIRM Notes to Users, DOQ Base 
Map













































Figure K-37. Single-Jurisdiction DFIRM Notes to Users, DOQ Base Map, Only 
Panel Printed 



The assigned Mapping Partner shall use the following notes in the FIRM Notes to Users section.  
Several notes contain variables that are specific to the conditions that exist in the FIRM.  The 
variable should be chosen and inserted when the FIRM is prepared.  The variables are shown in 
italics in these examples.

Notes to Users
*Font specifications that cannot be matched may be approximated
Example
Feature/Usage
Specification
NOTES TO USERS
Notes to Users title
18 Pt. Verdana CAPS
This map is for use in administering the 
National Flood Insurance Program.  It 
does not necessarily identify all areas 
subject to flooding, particularly from local 
drainage sources of small size.  The 
community map repository should be 
consulted for possible updated or 
additional flood hazard information.
This note shall be shown on all 
FIRM panels.

10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
To obtain more detailed information in 
areas where Base Flood Elevations 
(BFEs) and/or floodways have been 
determined, users are encouraged to 
consult the Flood Profiles and Floodway 
Data and/or Summary of Stillwater 
Elevations tables contained within the 
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report that 
accompanies this FIRM. Users should be 
aware that BFEs shown on the FIRM 
represent rounded whole-foot elevations.  
These BFEs are intended for flood 
insurance rating purposes only and 
should not be used as the sole source of 
flood elevation information. Accordingly, 
flood elevation data presented in the FIS 
Report should be utilized in conjunction 
with the FIRM for purposes of 
construction and/or floodplain 
management.
This note shall be used to inform 
the user that supplemental flood 
elevation information is located 
within the FIS Report.  It shall be 
omitted from the Notes to User if 
the FIRM is not accompanied by 
an FIS Report.  A modified version 
of this note, shown below, is used 
on FIRM and FIS Report 
combination panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
To obtain more detailed information in 
areas where Base Flood Elevations 
(BFEs) and/or floodways have been 
determined, users are encouraged to 
consult the Flood Profiles and Floodway 
Data and/or Summary of Stillwater 
Elevations tables shown on this FIRM. 
Users should be aware that BFEs shown 
on the FIRM represent rounded whole-
foot elevations.  These BFEs are intended 
for flood insurance rating purposes only 
and should not be used as the sole 
source of flood elevation information. 
Accordingly, flood elevation data 
presented in the Flood Profiles and 
Floodway Data and/or Summary of 
Stillwater Elevations tables should be 
utilized in conjunction with the FIRM for 
purposes of construction and/or floodplain 
management.
This note shall be used to inform 
the user that supplemental flood 
elevation information is located on 
the map panel.  It is used on FIRM 
and FIS Report combination panels 
only.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Coastal Base Flood Elevations shown 
on this map apply only landward of 0.0' 
National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 
(NGVD 29) / North American Vertical 
Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).  Users of this 
FIRM should be aware that coastal flood 
elevations are also provided in the 
Summary of Stillwater Elevations table in 
the Flood Insurance Study Report for this 
jurisdiction. Elevations shown in the 
Summary of Stillwater Elevations table 
should be used for construction and/or 
floodplain management purposes when 
they are higher than the elevations shown 
on this FIRM.
This note shall be used to provide 
map users with additional 
information on the interpretation of 
coastal BFEs.  The vertical datum 
variable is shown in italics.  This 
note shall be omitted if the FIRM 
is not accompanied by an FIS 
Report. A modified version of this 
note, shown below, is used on 
FIRM and FIS Report combination 
panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Coastal Base Flood Elevations shown 
on this map apply only landward of 0.0' 
National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 
(NGVD 29) / North American Vertical 
Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).  Users of this 
FIRM should be aware that coastal flood 
elevations are also provided in the 
Summary of Stillwater Elevations table 
shown on this map. Elevations shown in 
the Summary of Stillwater Elevations 
table should be used for construction 
and/or floodplain management purposes 
when they are higher than the elevations 
shown on this FIRM.
This note shall be used to inform 
the user that additional information 
on the interpretation of coastal 
BFEs is located on the map panel. 
The vertical datum variable is 
shown in italics.  It is used on 
FIRM and FIS Report combination 
panels only.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Special Flood Hazard Areas were 
determined by approximate study 
methods.  Therefore, no Flood Insurance 
Study Report was developed.
This note shall be used on FIRMs 
that contain only approximate 
flood analyses and are not 
accompanied by an FIS Report.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Boundaries of the floodways were 
computed at cross sections and 
interpolated between cross sections.  The 
floodways were based on hydraulic 
considerations with regard to 
requirements of the National Flood 
Insurance Program. Floodway widths and 
other pertinent floodway data are 
provided in the Flood Insurance Study 
Report for this jurisdiction.
This note shall be used to reference 
boundaries and widths of the 
floodway.  It also references the 
NFIP as the authority for 
floodways and refers users to other 
floodway data in the FIS Report.  
This note shall be omitted if the 
FIRM is not accompanied by an 
FIS Report. A modified version of 
this note, shown below, is used on 
FIRM and FIS Report combination 
panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Boundaries of the floodways were 
computed at cross sections and 
interpolated between cross sections.  The 
floodways were based on hydraulic 
considerations with regard to 
requirements of the National Flood 
Insurance Program. Floodway widths and 
other pertinent floodway data are 
provided in the Floodway Data table 
shown on this FIRM.
This note shall be used to refer 
users to other floodway data 
located on the map panel.  It is 
used on FIRM and FIS Report 
combination panels only.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Certain areas not in Special Flood Hazard 
Areas may be protected by flood control 
structures.  Refer to Section 2.4 "Flood 
Protection Measures" of the Flood 
Insurance Study Report for information on 
flood control structures for this jurisdiction.
This note shall be used to refer the 
user to the FIS Report for 
additional information on flood 
control structures within the 
jurisdiction.  This note is omitted if 
the FIRM is not accompanied by 
an FIS Report.  It is also omitted 
on FIRM and FIS combination 
panels.  The variable FIS Report 
section is italicized.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
The projection used in the preparation of 
this map was Universal Transverse 
Mercator (UTM) zone 17.  The horizontal 
datum was NAD 83, GRS80 spheroid. 
Differences in datum, spheroid, projection 
or UTM zones used in the production of 
FIRMs for adjacent jurisdictions may 
result in slight positional differences in 
map features across jurisdiction 
boundaries.  These differences do not 
affect the accuracy of this FIRM.
This note shall be used to provide 
map users with information about 
the projections and datums used in 
the production of the FIRM.  The 
variable items are italicized.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Flood elevations on this map are 
referenced to the National Geodetic 
Vertical Datum of 1929.  These flood 
elevations must be compared to structure 
and ground elevations referenced to the 
same vertical datum. For information 
regarding conversion between the 
National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 
and the North American Vertical Datum of 
1988, visit the National Geodetic Survey 
website at www.ngs.noaa.gov or contact 
the National Geodetic Survey at the 
following address:
Spatial Reference System Division
National Geodetic Survey, NOAA
Silver Spring Metro Center
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, Maryland  20910
(301) 713-3191
This note shall be used to reference 
vertical datum (used for flood 
elevation determinations) and refer 
map users to the National Geodetic 
Survey website. The vertical datum 
variable is shown in italics.  See 
Section K.5.1 for Vertical Datum 
notes placed in the map legend.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
To obtain current elevation, description, 
and/or location information for bench 
marks shown on this map, please contact 
the Information Services Branch of the 
National Geodetic Survey at  
(301) 713-3242, or visit its website at 
www.ngs.noaa.gov.
This note shall be used to tell  
users where to find additional 
information about the bench marks 
shown on the FIRM.  When local 
qualifying monuments are included 
on the FIRM, a reference phone 
number and URL (if available) are 
included, and a modified version of 
the bench mark note is used.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Qualifying bench marks for this 
jurisdiction lie outside of the corporate 
limits. See the Qualifying NGS Bench 
Marks table in the FIS Report for a listing 
of bench marks.  To obtain current 
elevation, description, and/or location 
information for qualifying bench marks 
located in the vicinity of this 
jurisdiction, please contact the 
Information Services Branch of the 
National Geodetic Survey at (301) 713-
3242, or visit its website at 
www.ngs.noaa.gov.
This note shall be used to tell the 
user where to find information 
about bench marks that are not 
located within the community.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Qualifying bench marks for this 
jurisdiction are located on non-printed 
panels. To obtain current elevation, 
description, and/or location information for 
qualifying bench marks located in the 
vicinity of this jurisdiction, please 
contact the Information Services Branch 
of the National Geodetic Survey at (301) 
713-3242, or visit its website at 
www.ngs.noaa.gov.
This note shall be used to tell the 
user where to find information 
about bench marks that are located 
within the community but are 
located in areas on non-printed 
panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Qualifying bench marks for this 
jurisdiction lie outside of the corporate 
limits and are located on non-printed 
panels. See the Qualifying NGS Bench 
Marks table in the FIS Report for a listing 
of bench marks.  To obtain current 
elevation, description, and/or location 
information for qualifying bench marks 
located in the vicinity of this 
jurisdiction, please contact the 
Information Services Branch of the 
National Geodetic Survey at (301) 713-
3242, or visit its website at 
www.ngs.noaa.gov.
This note shall be used to tell the 
user where to find information 
about bench marks that are not 
located within the community or 
are located within the community 
but are located in areas on non-
printed panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Base map information shown on this 
FIRM was derived from U.S. Geological 
Survey Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles 
produced at a scale of 1:12,000 from 
photography dated 1998 or later.
Base map information shown on this 
FIRM was provided in digital format by the 
Flood County Office of GIS.  This 
information was photogrammetrically 
compiled at a scale of 1:4,800 from aerial 
photography dated February 1996.
Base map information shown on this 
FIRM was derived from multiple sources.  
Base map files were provided in digital 
format by Montgomery County.  This 
information was compiled from aerial 
photography, GPS coordinates, and 
coordinate geometry (COGO) using 
sources material dated 1995.  Additional 
information was photogrammetrically 
compiled at a scale of 1:6,000 form aerial 
photography dated 1999.
These three examples show the 
base map source note set up.  The 
base map source note shall be used 
to provide basic information about 
the base map source(s) used in the 
production of the FIRM.  The note 
shall include the base map 
producer (community agency or 
USGS), scale, and approximate 
date of the base map data.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
This map reflects more detailed and up-
to-date stream channel configurations 
than those shown on the previous FIRM 
for this jurisdiction.   The floodplains and 
floodways that were transferred from the 
previous FIRM may have been adjusted 
to conform to these new stream channel 
configurations.  As a result, the Flood 
Profiles and Floodway Data tables for 
[insert stream names] in the Flood 
Insurance Study Report (which contains 
authoritative hydraulic data) may reflect 
stream channel distances that differ from 
what is shown on this map.
This note shall be used when the 
FIRM base map files contain 
improved/updated stream 
configurations in areas where 
detailed flood hazard analyses have 
not been revised.  If this condition 
applies to five streams or fewer, 
the streams are listed by name.  If 
it applies to more than five 
streams, the stream names are 
omitted.   This note is omitted if it 
does not apply to any streams in 
the jurisdiction or if an FIS Report 
does not accompany the FIRM.  
On FIRM and FIS Report 
combination panels, the words "in 
the Flood Insurance Study Report" 
(shown in italics) are omitted.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold) 
Based on updated topographic 
information, this map reflects more 
detailed and up-to-date stream channel 
configurations and floodplain 
delineations than those shown on the 
previous FIRM for this jurisdiction.  As a 
result, the Flood Profiles and Floodway 
Data tables for [insert stream names] in 
the Flood Insurance Study Report (which 
contains authoritative hydraulic data) may 
reflect stream channel distances that 
differ from what is shown on the map.  
Also, the road to floodplain relationships 
for unrevised streams may differ from 
what is shown on previous maps.
This note shall be used when the 
FIRM base map files contain 
improved/updated stream 
configurations and improved 
floodplain configurations based on 
updated topographic information in 
areas where detailed flood hazard 
analyses have not been revised. If 
this condition applies to five 
streams or fewer, the streams are 
listed by name.  If it applies to 
more than five streams, the stream 
names are omitted.   This note is 
omitted if it does not apply to any 
streams in the jurisdiction or if an 
FIS Report does not accompany 
the FIRM.  On FIRM and FIS 
Report combination panels, the 
words "in the Flood Insurance 
Study Report" (shown in italics) 
are omitted.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Corporate limits shown on this map are 
based on the best data available at the 
time of publication. Because changes due 
to annexations or de-annexations may 
have occurred after this map was 
published, map users should contact 
appropriate community officials to verify 
current corporate limit locations.
This note shall be shown on all 
FIRM panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Please refer to the separately printed Map 
Index for an overview map of the county 
showing the layout of map panels; 
community map repository addresses; 
and a Listing of Communities table 
containing National Flood Insurance 
Program dates for each community as 
well as a listing of the panels on which 
each community is located.
This note shall be used on 
countywide FIRMs to provide map 
users with information about what 
they can find on the Map Index.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Please refer to the separately printed Map 
Index for an overview map showing the 
layout of map panels for this jurisdiction.
This note shall be used on single 
jurisdiction FIRMs to provide map 
users with information about what 
they can find on the Map Index.  it 
should be omitted if no index 
exists.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
Contact the FEMA Map Service Center 
at 1-800-358-9616 for information on 
available products associated with this 
FIRM.  Available products may include 
previously issued Letters of Map Change, 
a Flood Insurance Study Report, and /or 
digital versions of this map.  The FEMA 
Map Service Center may also be reached 
by Fax at 1-800-358-9620 and its website 
at www.fema.gov/msc.
This note shall be used to refer  
users to FEMA's Map Service 
Center for other pertinent 
information that may be available. 
It shall be shown on all FIRM 
panels. 
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)
If you have questions about this map or 
questions concerning the National Flood 
Insurance Program in general, please call 
1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or 
visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.
This note shall be used to refer the 
map user to the FEMA website and 
the 1-877-FEMA MAP phone 
number.  It shall be shown on all 
FIRM panels.
10 Pt. Arial CLC (key 
words bold)

[February 2002]


K.9	Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map Deliverables
Preliminary FIRMs shall be sent to communities for review and comment.  Unlike final FIRMs, 
Preliminary FIRMs shall be plotted individually rather than printed with an offset printing 
process.    FIRMs that were prepared using Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle or community-
provided orthophoto base maps shall be sent to communities in full-color at the Preliminary 
stage; all other vector-based FIRMs shall be plotted in black and white for Preliminary 
distribution.
[February 2002]



K.10	Deliverables to Map Service Center
The assigned Mapping Partner shall send all FIRM deliverables to the MSC for printing by the  
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) on a regular pre-determined schedule.  The deliverables 
shall include photographic reproducibles of the FIRM and/or digital files as well as all associated 
paperwork (e.g., Community Map Actions list, print requisition forms).
If photographic reproducibles are to be submitted to the MSC, the assigned Mapping Partner 
shall submit one negative for each ink color used on the map. Digital files, if submitted, shall be 
in a universal graphic format, such as PDF, optimized for printing.  If digital files are submitted, 
the GPO shall be responsible for converting the digital files into printed documents.  For two-
color digital FIRMs, black and a cyan blue spot color specified for use by the GPO printers shall 
be prepared, to produce two-color digital files.
[February 2002]

Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners
Section K.1		K-2	February 2002 Edition
Section K.2			K-12	February 2002 Edition
Section K.3			K-41	February 2002 Edition
Section K.4		K-74	February 2002 Edition
Section K.5		K-89	February 2002 Edition
Section K.6		K-102	February 2002 Edition
Section K.7		K-115	February 2002 Edition
Section K.9		K-117	February 2002 Edition