FEMA flood Zone AR
High-risk (SFHA) · Special Flood Hazard Area · annual chance 1% (temporarily increased)
Zone AR is a high-risk (sfha) FEMA flood-map designation. Areas that result from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system (such as a levee) that is being restored to provide protection from the 1-percent-annual-chance flood. The area has a temporarily increased flood risk during restoration and is treated as a Special Flood Hazard Area. Because it is a Special Flood Hazard Area, flood insurance is mandatory for a building with a federally backed mortgage.
Source: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions. Data as of June 2026.
Zone AR at a glance
| Attribute | Zone AR |
|---|---|
| Risk category | High-risk (SFHA) |
| Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)? | Yes — high-risk |
| Flood insurance mandatory (federal mortgage)? | Yes, in the SFHA |
| Annual flood chance | 1% (temporarily increased) |
| Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) shown? | No |
Source: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions. Data as of June 2026.
What Zone AR means for your flood insurance
Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages, but special grandfathering and discounted rating rules can apply in AR zones.
Under Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA prices each property on its own flood risk — distance to water, flood type, foundation, the height of the lowest floor and rebuild cost — rather than charging one flat rate per zone. So the zone tells you whether insurance is mandatory and roughly how risky the area is, while your actual premium is property-specific. See the cost estimator for a rough figure.
How Zone AR compares with other flood zones
| Zone | Category | SFHA? | Insurance mandatory? | Annual chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone AR | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (temporarily increased) |
| Zone A | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AE | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AH | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone AO | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone A99 | High-risk (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) |
| Zone V | High-risk coastal (SFHA) | Yes | Yes | 1% (100-year) + wave action |
Frequently asked questions
What does FEMA flood Zone AR mean?
Areas that result from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system (such as a levee) that is being restored to provide protection from the 1-percent-annual-chance flood. The area has a temporarily increased flood risk during restoration and is treated as a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Is flood insurance required in Zone AR?
Yes. Zone AR is a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area, so federal law requires flood insurance for buildings with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender. Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages, but special grandfathering and discounted rating rules can apply in AR zones.
Is Zone AR a high-risk flood zone?
Yes. Zone AR is a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) with at least a 1% (temporarily increased) chance of flooding. SFHAs are the zones FEMA treats as high-risk for insurance and floodplain-management purposes.
How does Zone AR affect my flood insurance premium?
Since FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, premiums are based on each property's specific characteristics rather than the zone alone, but the zone still signals risk. Flood insurance is mandatory for federally backed mortgages, but special grandfathering and discounted rating rules can apply in AR zones. Use our calculator for a rough estimate and get a real quote from an NFIP agent.
Keep exploring
Source
Definitions: FEMA — Flood Zones glossary & FIRM zone definitions (US public domain). This is general information, not insurance advice — confirm your property's zone on the official FEMA Flood Map Service Center and verify insurance requirements with your lender or agent. See our disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20