Flood zones for vacant land in Los Angeles
Of the 5,480 vacant lots in Los Angeles, 45 (under 1%) are in a FEMA high-risk flood zone, where a home loan on a new building needs flood insurance. 4,999 (91%) are in zone X with minimal risk, and 340 are moderate risk. 96 are zone D, where flood risk has not been studied.
Flood zones in Los Angeles
| FEMA zone | Vacant lots | Share |
|---|---|---|
| X | 5,339 | 97% |
| D | 96 | 2% |
| AE | 25 | under 1% |
| AO | 17 | under 1% |
| AH | 2 | under 1% |
| A | 1 | under 1% |
What the letters mean: flood zones explained.
Lots in a high-risk flood zone in Los Angeles
Zones A, AE, AH, AO and VE, lowest assessed value first (25 of 45).
Lots outside the flood zone in Los Angeles
Zone X with minimal risk, lowest assessed value first (25 of 4,999).
Questions about land in Los Angeles
How much vacant land in Los Angeles is in a flood zone?
45 of 5,480 vacant lots in Los Angeles (under 1%) are in a FEMA high-risk flood zone (A, AE, AH, AO or VE). 4,999 are zone X with minimal risk and 340 are moderate risk. 96 are zone D, where flood risk has not been studied.
Do I need flood insurance for land in Los Angeles?
Not for an empty lot: flood insurance covers buildings. If you build in a high-risk zone and borrow from a federally regulated lender, flood insurance on the building is required. under 1% of Los Angeles's vacant lots are in such a zone.
More for Los Angeles: all vacant land · fire hazard zones
Sources
Counts are LandGrab's analysis of 2026 public data for vacant parcels in Los Angeles County, updated 2026-10-18. Maps change; confirm a specific lot with the county before you buy.