Pennsylvania Enacts New Home Flood Disclosure Requirements
Home sellers must disclose flood history and FEMA risk zones to prospective buyers beginning in summer 2028.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Residential
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Pennsylvania home sellers will soon be required to disclose their property's flood history and insurance claims to prospective buyers. This new law mandates that sellers detail past flooding incidents and confirm if a home is located in a high- or moderate-risk zone defined by FEMA.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to help homebuyers avoid unexpected financial shocks and take proactive measures to limit future flood damage. By increasing transparency, it addresses the current gap where many buyers are unaware of a home's vulnerability until after a purchase.
The new law requires sellers to provide transparency on flooding, though it does not apply to landlords. Sellers must fully comply with these new disclosure requirements by the summer of 2028.
The players
Josh Shapiro
The Governor of Pennsylvania who signed the new flood disclosure legislation into law.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
A federal agency that establishes flood risk designations used to determine insurance requirements for residential properties.
Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission
The regulatory body responsible for updating mandatory property disclosure statement forms for home sellers.
The details
Under the new requirements, sellers must report the number and dates of any past flooding incidents, as well as whether they have received government assistance for flood damage. They must also disclose if the property is situated in a FEMA-designated risk zone or if a future buyer will be mandated to purchase flood insurance. The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission is currently tasked with updating standard property disclosure forms to incorporate these seven new questions about flood risk.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: Governor Josh Shapiro signed the new flood disclosure law.
Summer 2028: Deadline for sellers to implement the new disclosure requirements.
The Home Front
This legislation aligns Pennsylvania with a national shift toward increased climate transparency in real estate transactions. It follows a documented trend where 75% of U.S. states have adopted similar disclosure laws to protect homeowners from the financial consequences of flood damage.
If you are planning to sell your home in the coming years, begin gathering records of past flood insurance claims and any government assistance received for property damage. Prospective buyers should anticipate seeing more detailed disclosures regarding flood risk and insurance obligations on property forms by 2028.
The takeaway
Increased transparency during home sales helps protect your household's financial stability from unforeseen climate-related repair costs. Prospective sellers should consult their real estate agent to keep track of the updated disclosure forms expected before the summer 2028 implementation date.
Further reading
For more information on navigating property sales and disclosures, see our guide to Residential real estate.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHYY.
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