Chapter 19.09 FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS

Chapter 19.09
FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS

Sections:

19.09.010 Statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpose, and objectives.

19.09.050 Provisions for flood hazard reduction.

19.09.010 Statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpose, and objectives.

A. Statutory Authorization. The Legislature of the State of Washington has delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Town of Wilkeson, Washington, does ordain as follows:

B. Findings of Fact.

1. The flood hazard areas of the Town of Wilkeson are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

2. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard which increase flood heights and velocities, and, when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated, or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.

C. Statement of Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare; reduce the annual cost of flood insurance; and minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed:

1. To protect human life and health;

2. To minimize expenditure of public money and costly flood control projects;

3. To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;

4. To minimize prolonged business interruptions;

5. To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;

6. To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas;

7. To ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;

8. To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.

D. Methods of Reducing Flood Losses. In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:

1. Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;

2. Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;

3. Controlling the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;

4. Controlling filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and

5. Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers that unnaturally divert floodwaters or may increase flood hazards in other areas. [Ord. 2017.03 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2017; UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

19.09.020 Definitions.

“Appeal” means a request for a review of the interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.

“Base flood” means the flood having a one (1) percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also referred to as the “one hundred (100) year flood”). Designated on Flood Insurance Rate Maps by the letters A or V.

“Basement” means any area of the building having its floor sub-grade (below ground level) on all sides.

“Breakaway wall” means a wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.

“Critical facility” means a facility for which even a slight chance of flooding might be too great. Critical facilities include (but are not limited to) schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police, fire and emergency response installations, and installations which produce, use, or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.

“Development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.

“Elevated building” means, for insurance purposes, a non-basement building that has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

“Elevation certificate” means the official form (FEMA Form 81-31) used to track development, provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, and determine the proper insurance premium rate with Section B completed by community officials.

“Flood” or “flooding” means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

1. The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or

2. The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.

“Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)” means the official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

“Flood Insurance Study (FIS)” means the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

“Floodway” means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one (1) foot.

“Lowest floor” means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor; provided, that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of this chapter found at WMC 19.09.050(B)(2)(b) (i.e., provided there are adequate flood ventilation openings).

“Manufactured home” means a structure, transportable in one (1) or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term “manufactured home” does not include a “recreational vehicle.”

“New construction” means structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter.

“Start of construction” includes substantial improvement, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

“Structure” means a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.

“Substantial damage” means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

“Substantial improvement” means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure either:

1. Before the improvement or repair is started; or

2. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition, “substantial improvement” is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.

The term can exclude:

1. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct pre-cited existing violations of State or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been previously identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions, or

2. Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.

“Variance” means a grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter that permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter.

“Water dependent” means a structure for commerce or industry that cannot exist in any other location and is dependent on the water by reason of the intrinsic nature of its operations. [Ord. 2017.03 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2017; UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

19.09.030 General provisions.

A. Lands to Which This Chapter Applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the Town of Wilkeson, Washington.

B. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study for Pierce County and Incorporated Areas” dated March 7, 2017, with an accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) dated March 7, 2017, and such future updated Countywide maps, including future changes to the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), through any Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) or Physical Map Revisions (PMR), are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and the FIRM are on file at the Town Clerk’s office located at 540 Church Street, Wilkeson, Washington. The best available information for flood hazard area identification as outlined in WMC 19.09.040(C)(2) shall be the basis for regulation until a new FIRM is issued that incorporates data utilized under WMC 19.09.040(C)(2).

C. Penalties for Noncompliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not more than ninety (90) days, or both, for each violation, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Town of Wilkeson from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

D. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

E. Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:

1. Considered as minimum requirements;

2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and

3. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under State statutes.

F. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Town of Wilkeson, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder. [Ord. 2017.03 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2017; amended during 2014 codification; UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

19.09.040 Administration.

A. Establishment of Development Permit.

1. Development Permit Required. A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in WMC 19.09.030(B). The permit shall be for all structures including manufactured homes, as set forth in WMC 19.09.020, Definitions, and for all development including fill and other activities, also as set forth in WMC 19.09.020, Definitions.

2. Application for Development Permit. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Building Official and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities, and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:

a. Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures recorded on the most current FEMA elevation certificate with Section B completed by the local official;

b. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has been floodproofed;

c. Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet floodproofing criteria in WMC 19.09.050(B)(3);

d. Description of the extent to which a watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

B. Designation of the Building Official. The Building Official is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.

C. Duties and Responsibilities of the Building Official. Duties of the Building Official shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Permit Review.

a. Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.

b. Review all development permits to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those Federal, State, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.

c. Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions of WMC 19.09.050(D)(1) are met.

2. Use of Other Base Flood Data (in A and V Zones). When base flood elevation data has not been provided (in A or V Zones) in accordance with WMC 19.09.030(B), Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, the Building Official shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a Federal, State or other source, in order to administer WMC 19.09.050(B), Specific Standards, and 19.09.050(D), Floodways.

3. Information to Be Obtained and Maintained.

a. Where base flood elevation data is provided through the Flood Insurance Study, FIRM, or required as in subsection (C)(2) of this section, obtain and record the actual (as-built) elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement. Recorded on a current elevation certificate with Section B completed by the local official.

b. For all new or substantially improved floodproofed nonresidential structures where base flood elevation data is provided through the FIS, FIRM, or as required in subsection (C)(2) of this section:

i. Obtain and record the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure was floodproofed.

ii. Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in subsection (A)(2)(c) of this section.

c. Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter.

4. Alteration of Watercourses.

a. Notify adjacent communities and the Department of Ecology prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.

b. Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished.

5. Interpretation of FIRM Boundaries. Make interpretations where needed as to exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (e.g., where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions).

D. Conditions for Variances.

1. Generally, the only condition under which a variance from the elevation standard may be issued is for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a small or irregularly shaped lot contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level. As the lot size increases the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.

2. Variances shall not be issued within a designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

3. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

4. Variances shall only be issued upon:

a. A showing of good and sufficient cause;

b. A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant;

c. A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.

5. Variances as interpreted in the National Flood Insurance Program are based on the general zoning law principle that they pertain to a physical piece of property; they are not personal in nature and do not pertain to the structure, its inhabitants, economic or financial circumstances. They primarily address small lots in densely populated residential neighborhoods. As such, variances from flood elevations should be quite rare.

6. Variances may be issued for nonresidential buildings in very limited circumstances to allow a lesser degree of floodproofing than watertight or dry-floodproofing, where it can be determined that such action will have low damage potential, complies with all other variance criteria except 4.4-2(1), and otherwise complies with WMC 19.09.050(A)(1)(a), (A)(4), and (A)(5).

7. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the permitted structure will be built with its lowest floor below the base flood elevation and that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk.

E. Variance Procedure.

1. Appeal Board – Town Council.

a. The Town Council, as established by the Town of Wilkeson, shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter.

b. The Town Council shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.

c. Those aggrieved by the decision of the Town Council may appeal such decision to the Pierce County Superior Court for a writ of review within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the decision.

d. Upon consideration of the factors contained in the preceding section and the purposes of this chapter, the Town Council may attach conditions of the granting of the variance as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.

e. The Town Clerk shall maintain the records of all appeal actions and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request. [Ord. 2017.03 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2017; amended during 2014 codification; UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

19.09.050 Provisions for flood hazard reduction.

A. General Standards. In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required:

1. General.

a. All new construction and substantial improvements done by or for the Town of Wilkeson, such as bridges, roads, flood control works, revetments, retaining walls, drainage structures, sewer or water lines, parks, or other structures necessary to promote the public’s health, safety, and welfare shall be allowed in a flood hazard area when:

i. The project is prepared under the responsible charge of and is signed and dated by a registered professional engineer in the State of Washington and has been granted a flood hazard permit. The project shall be designed so the project does not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge (zero (0) rise) nor obstruct the floodway nor cause an adverse impact to critical fish or wildlife habitat on adjacent, cross-channel, or upstream or downstream properties; and

ii. The improvements utilize appropriate flood hazard protection standards;

iii. All other provisions of this chapter are met.

b. A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) elevation certificate shall be required for new construction, additions affixed to the side of a structure, and substantial improvements located within flood hazard areas. The most current version of the FEMA elevation certificate must be completed by a professional land surveyor, currently licensed in the State of Washington, and kept on file with the Town of Wilkeson Building Department.

2. Anchoring.

a. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure.

b. All manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement, and shall be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. Anchoring methods may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.

3. Construction Materials and Methods.

a. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

b. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.

c. Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be designed and/or otherwise elevated or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. Locating such equipment below the base flood elevation may cause annual flood insurance premiums to be increased.

4. Utilities.

a. All new and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems;

b. Water wells shall be located on high ground that is not in the floodway¹;

c. New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters;

d. On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.

5. Subdivision Proposals.

a. All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

b. All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;

c. All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage;

d. Where base flood elevation data has not been provided or is not available from another authoritative source, it shall be generated for subdivision proposals and other proposed developments which contain at least fifty (50) lots or five (5) acres (whichever is less).

6. Review of Building Permits. Where elevation data is not available either through the Flood Insurance Study, FIRM, or from another authoritative source (WMC 19.09.040(C)(2)), applications for building permits shall be reviewed to assure that proposed construction will be reasonably safe from flooding. The test of reasonableness is a local judgment and includes use of historical data, high water marks, photographs of past flooding, etc., where available. Failure to elevate at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade in the zones may result in higher insurance rates.

B. Specific Standards.

1. In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in WMC 19.09.030(B), Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, or WMC 19.09.040(C)(2), Use of Other Base Flood Data. Additional standards were clarified in FEMA Technical Bulletin FEMA TB-11 to allow crawlspace construction of buildings located in the special flood areas; however, adopting this can result in a twenty (20) percent increase in flood insurance premiums. The following provisions are required:

a. The interior grade of a crawlspace below the BFE must not be more than two (2) feet below the lowest adjacent exterior grade (LAG).

b. The height of the below-grade crawlspace, measured from the interior grade of the crawlspace to the top of the foundation wall, must not exceed four (4) feet at any point. (The height limitation is the maximum allowable unsupported wall height according to the engineering analyses and building code requirements for flood hazard areas. This limitation will also prevent these crawlspaces from being converted into habitable spaces.)

c. There must be adequate drainage systems that remove floodwaters from the interior area of the crawlspace. The enclosed area should be drained within a reasonable amount of time after a flood event. (The type of drainage system will vary because of the site gradient and other drainage characteristics, such as soil types. Possible options include through porous, well drained soils and drainage systems such as perforated pipes, drainage tiles, or crushed stone drainage by gravity or mechanical means.)

d. The velocity of floodwaters at the site should not exceed five (5) feet per second for any crawlspace. (For velocities in excess of five (5) feet per second, other foundation types should be used.)

e. Below-grade crawlspace construction in accordance with the requirements listed above will not be considered basements.

2. Residential Construction.

a. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one (1) foot or more² above the base flood elevation (BFE).

b. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding are prohibited, or shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

i. A minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.

ii. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade.

iii. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

3. Nonresidential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one (1) foot or more³ above the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:

a. Be floodproofed so that below one (1) foot or more above the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;

b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy;

c. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting provisions of this subsection based on their development and/or review of the structural design, specifications and plans. Such certifications shall be provided to the official as set forth in WMC 19.09.040(C)(3)(b);

d. Nonresidential structures that are elevated, not floodproofed, must meet the same standards for space below the lowest floor as described in subsection (B)(2)(b) of this section;

e. Applicants who are floodproofing nonresidential buildings shall be notified that flood insurance premiums will be based on rates that are one (1) foot below the floodproofed level (e.g., a building floodproofed to the base flood level will be rated as one (1) foot below).

4. Manufactured Homes. All manufactured homes in the floodplain to be placed or substantially improved on sites shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one (1) foot or more above1 the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.

5. Recreational Vehicles. Recreational vehicles placed on sites are required to either:

a. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days; or

b. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, on wheels or jacking system, attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and have no permanently attached additions; or

c. Meet the requirements of subsection (B)(4) of this section and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes.

C. AE and A1-30 Zones with Base Flood Elevations but No Floodways. In areas with base flood elevations (but a regulatory floodway has not been designated), no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE on the community’s FIRM, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one (1) foot at any point within the community.

D. Floodways. Located within areas of special flood hazard established in WMC 19.09.030(B) are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters that can carry debris and increase erosion potential, the following provisions apply:

1. Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

2. Construction or reconstruction of residential structures is prohibited within designated floodways, except for (a) repairs, reconstruction, or improvements to a structure which do not increase the ground floor area; and (b) repairs, reconstruction or improvements to a structure, the cost of which does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure, either (i) before the repair or reconstruction is started, or (ii) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of State or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions, or to structures identified as historic places, may be excluded in the fifty (50) percent.

3. If subsection (D)(1) of this section is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of this section, Provisions for flood hazard reduction.

E. Critical Facility. Construction of new critical facilities shall be, to the extent possible, located outside the limits of the special flood hazard area (SFHA) (one hundred (100) year floodplain). Construction of new critical facilities shall be permissible within the SFHA if no feasible alternative site is available. Critical facilities constructed within the SFHA shall have the lowest floor elevated three (3) feet above BFE or to the height of the five hundred (500) year flood, whichever is higher. Access to and from the critical facility should also be protected to the height utilized above. Floodproofing and sealing measures must be taken to ensure that toxic substances will not be displaced by or released into floodwaters. Access routes elevated to or above the level of the base flood elevation shall be provided to all critical facilities to the extent possible. [Ord. 2017.03 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2017; UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

See WA floodway standard identified in WAC 173-160-171.

Foundation vent standards required by the IBC/IRC outside the floodplain do not meet this standard and are often inadvertently permitted. Insurance rates reflect an “all or nothing” standard, meaning partially ventilated crawlspaces may be subject to an additional loading fee of twenty-five (25) to twenty-nine (29) percent attached to the annual insurance premium.