Pennsylvania Enacts Flood History Disclosure Law
Home sellers must disclose flood and insurance risks to buyers by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Residential
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed a new law that mandates home sellers disclose specific flood histories and insurance claim details to potential buyers. The requirement aims to shield buyers from unexpected financial burdens by 2028.
Why it matters
The legislation is designed to ensure transparency in real estate transactions, helping prospective homeowners anticipate flood risks and associated insurance costs. By requiring disclosure of past claims and FEMA risk status, the law aims to mitigate the risk of financial shock for those purchasing residential property.
Currently, only 2% of insured homes in Pennsylvania carry flood coverage, a figure that highlights the importance of the new disclosure mandate. This reform aligns the state with the nearly 75% of U.S. states that already require sellers to provide flood risk information.
The players
Josh Shapiro
The Governor of Pennsylvania who signed the new property flood disclosure law.
Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission
The regulatory body responsible for updating official disclosure forms to reflect the new legal requirements.
FEMA
The federal agency that designates flood risk zones and oversees national insurance guidelines.
The details
Under the new law, sellers must provide details regarding past flooding, including the frequency and approximate dates of incidents. They are also required to state whether a property is located in a FEMA-designated high- or moderate-risk zone, if a buyer will be obligated to hold flood insurance, and if the seller previously received government assistance or filed claims for flood damage. The State Real Estate Commission will manage the formal update to the property disclosure forms to include these mandatory disclosures.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The governor signed the new flood disclosure legislation into law.
Summer 2028: This is the deadline for full implementation of the new seller disclosure requirements.
Money Landscape
This legislation reflects a broader shift toward greater transparency in the U.S. housing market as states increasingly move to standardize flood risk information. Pennsylvania is now aligning its real estate standards with the majority of the country to address the long-term affordability risks tied to climate-related property damage.
Homebuyers should prepare for more comprehensive disclosure documents on properties starting by 2028, which may affect insurance premium expectations and total monthly carrying costs. If you are planning a home purchase before the implementation deadline, consult with your real estate professional to understand your current rights regarding voluntary disclosures.
The takeaway
Transparency about flood history can help you avoid expensive post-purchase insurance premiums and unexpected property repairs. As you look at prospective homes, consider asking sellers for any existing records of flood insurance claims or past damage assessments until the new requirements take full effect.
Further reading
For more information on buying or selling property in the state, visit our Pennsylvania Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHYY.
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Do you believe mandatory flood risk disclosures help homebuyers make better financial decisions?
