Pinellas County · Flood Zone Map · 2026
Pinellas flood zones, explained simply
Check the FEMA zone for the exact address (AE, VE, or Zone X), then the evacuation zone, then get a real flood insurance quote before you offer.
Updated 2026 · Always verify the parcel on FEMA + Pinellas GIS
How to check one address
- Look up the address in the FEMA Map Service Center.
- Confirm on Pinellas County flood GIS.
- Check the evacuation zone (different map — Know Your Zone).
- Quote flood insurance on that building — not the neighbor’s premium.
- Ask about elevation certificates and the local 50% / 49% repair rule before you bid.
Flood zone ≠ evacuation zone. Check both. For more depth, read the full Pinellas flood zones guide.
Zones in plain English
- Zone X
- Lower mapped risk. Lenders usually do not require flood insurance. Still not zero risk in Pinellas.
- Zone X-shaded
- Moderate (often 0.2% annual chance). Quote flood anyway.
- Zone AE
- High-risk floodplain with a Base Flood Elevation. Mortgages almost always need flood insurance.
- Zone VE
- Coastal velocity / wave action. Common on barrier islands. Price insurance and downtime hard.
Pinellas area snapshot
Neighborhood-level notes for screening only. Confirm the exact parcel on FEMA before you write an offer.
| Area | City | Zone | Risk | Typical premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore Acres | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,800–$2,400/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Snell Isle | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,500–$2,200/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Old Northeast | St. Petersburg | X-shaded | Moderate | $800–$1,100/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Riviera Bay | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,600–$2,300/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Coquina Key | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,500–$2,200/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Coffee Pot Bayou | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,500–$2,100/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Pinellas Point | St. Petersburg | AE | High | $1,400–$2,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Tyrone | St. Petersburg | X | Low | $500–$750/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Historic Kenwood | St. Petersburg | X | Low | $500–$750/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Downtown St. Pete | St. Petersburg | X-shaded | Moderate | $700–$1,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Clearwater Beach | Clearwater | VE | Very High | $3,200–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Sand Key | Clearwater | VE | Very High | $3,500–$5,500/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Island Estates | Clearwater | AE | High | $1,600–$2,400/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Belleair Beach | Belleair Beach | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Belleair Shore | Belleair Shore | VE | Very High | $3,500–$5,500/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Indian Rocks Beach | Indian Rocks Beach | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Indian Shores | Indian Shores | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Madeira Beach | Madeira Beach | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,200/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Redington Beach | Redington Beach | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| North Redington Beach | North Redington Beach | VE | Very High | $3,000–$5,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Treasure Island | Treasure Island | VE | Very High | $3,200–$5,200/yr for $400K dwelling |
| St. Pete Beach | St. Pete Beach | VE | Very High | $3,200–$5,200/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Pass-a-Grille | St. Pete Beach | VE | Very High | $3,500–$5,500/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Tierra Verde | Tierra Verde | AE | High | $1,600–$2,400/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Dunedin (inland) | Dunedin | X | Low | $500–$750/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Tarpon Springs | Tarpon Springs | X-shaded | Moderate | $700–$1,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Palm Harbor | Palm Harbor | X | Low | $500–$750/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Largo (inland) | Largo | X | Low | $500–$750/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Safety Harbor | Safety Harbor | X-shaded | Moderate | $700–$1,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
| Oldsmar | Oldsmar | X-shaded | Moderate | $700–$1,000/yr for $400K dwelling |
*Illustrative ranges for a ~$400K dwelling under Risk Rating 2.0 — always quote the address.
Address-level flood check
Send the exact address before you trust the deal.
I will walk flood zone, evacuation zone, insurance quotes, STR legality, 50% rule exposure, and resale risk on the same parcel before you write an offer.
One conversion path
Send Troy the address on the contact page.
Use the same contact form for STR checks, valuations, buyer questions, and seller conversations. Successful submissions go to the thank-you page for clean Google Analytics conversion tracking.
FAQ
Is a flood zone the same as an evacuation zone in Pinellas County?
No. A flood zone is used for long-term flood risk, insurance, lending, and building standards. An evacuation zone is used by emergency management during hurricanes and storm-surge events. You should check both before buying.
How do I read a Pinellas County flood zone map (AE, VE, Zone X)?
Start with the FEMA Map Service Center for the exact address, then confirm on Pinellas County GIS. AE is high-risk floodplain with a base flood elevation. VE is high-risk coastal with wave action. Zone X is lower mapped risk, not zero risk. Evacuation letters are a separate map. Quote flood insurance on the address, not the street.
Where is the St. Petersburg flood zone map for a specific home?
Use FEMA first for the FIRM panel, then Pinellas County flood GIS, and for many St. Pete streets the city stormwater floodplain layers. MLS flood fields are a tip, not a diligence file. Pair the map with an elevation certificate when the zone or remodel plan needs it.
Do cash buyers need flood insurance in Florida?
If you pay cash and have no lender, a bank usually cannot require flood insurance. That does not mean it is wise to skip it. Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage, so cash buyers carry the risk themselves if they decline flood coverage.
Should I buy flood insurance if I am in Zone X?
Often, yes, or at least quote it. Zone X is lower mapped risk, not zero risk. In coastal Florida, heavy rain, drainage problems, storm surge, tidal flooding, and unusual storms can still create losses outside the highest-risk zones.
What is FEMA's 50% rule?
The 50% rule is the substantial-improvement and substantial-damage threshold used in floodplain management. If repair or improvement costs reach the local threshold, commonly 50% of the structure value, the building may need to be brought into current floodplain compliance.
Can buying a flooded home in Pinellas County be a good investment?
Sometimes. A flooded home can make sense when purchase price, land value, renovation scope, insurance, city rules, 50% rule exposure, rent, and resale all work together. It is a bad buy when those pieces do not line up.