A. Approval: Prior to the commencement of any development within any special flood hazard area, the property owner shall obtain approval of a floodplain permit and comply with the applicable general regulations and standards identified in sections 8-3F-7
and 8-3F-8 of this article.
B. Application: An application and fees, as set forth in chapter 7, article A of this title, shall be submitted to the development services department on forms provided by the department along with all required information identified on the applicable floodplain checklist. The floodplain administrator will review the request and determine if additional information, certificates, or studies are required prior to commencement of development or manufactured home placement.
C. Permit Duration: The approval of a floodplain permit shall be limited to a two (2) year period in which the applicant and/or property owner shall complete the proposed improvements to the satisfaction of the floodplain administrator.
D. Certificates And Studies: An applicant and/or owner may be required to submit the following certifications and/or studies with the floodplain application, or subsequent to floodplain application submission:
1. Grading Plan: Is considered development and may not take place on property within a special flood hazard area unless a floodplain permit is issued. All grading shall be done so as to minimize impacts within all special flood hazard areas. Floodwater carrying capacity shall not be diminished and adjacent properties shall not be adversely impacted by the proposed improvements. Minor landscape features (cumulative fill or excavation less than ten (10) cubic yards) and at grade driveways, at grade private roads, and at grade parking lots shall be exempt from the LOMA process. Depending on the extent and nature of the grading and landscape features, a FES may be required. Grading plans shall be in conformance with section 8-4A-24
of this title.
2. Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 086-0-33): If the elevation of a structure is required to be certified in accord with specific standards identified in section 8-3F-8
of this article, a completed construction drawings elevation certificate signed by a professional engineer or surveyor licensed in the state of Idaho shall be submitted and approved by the floodplain administrator prior to issuance of any building permit. Once the lowest floor (including basement and/or crawl space) of the proposed structure or substantial improvement is constructed, a completed finished construction elevation certificate signed by a professional engineer or surveyor licensed in the state of Idaho shall be submitted and be approved by the floodplain administrator prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy and/or prior to final building permit inspection approval.
3. Floodproofing Certificate (FEMA Form 086-0-34): If certification is required to demonstrate that a non-residential, accessory or agricultural structure has been floodproofed, in accord with specific standards identified in section 8-3F-8
of this article, documentation demonstrating compliance with the specific standards, shall be submitted with the floodplain application and approved by the floodplain administrator prior to the issuance of a building permit, and/or zoning certificate. A completed floodproofing certificate, prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho, shall be submitted and be approved by the floodplain administrator prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or prior to final building permit inspection approval:
a. Only accessory or agricultural structures under one thousand (1,000) square feet in size are permitted to be wet-floodproofed.
b. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing facilities comply with general regulations identified in section 8-3F-7
of this article.
c. If wet-floodproofing to allow floodwater to enter the structure, the enclosed area(s) shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters and complies with the following:
(1) A minimum of two (2) openings shall be provided that have a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding.
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no more than one foot (1') above the exterior or interior grade or floor immediately below the opening, measured from highest adjacent grade or floor.
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Openings shall meet the minimum FEMA standards for number (quantity), size and type.
(4) Certification shall be submitted that documents the amount of flood opening each flood opening provides.
d. If dry-floodproofing to restrict floodwater to enter the structure, the following standards apply:
(1) The lowest floor (including basement and/or crawl space), together with attendant electrical, mechanical and plumbing facilities, shall be floodproofed so that below one and a half feet (1.5') above the BFE the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water.
(2) The proposed structure shall be watertight and shall have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
(3) The proposed design shall be certified by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho and the design and methods of construction shall be in accord with accepted standards of practice for meeting regulations of this section based on their development and/or review of the structural design, specifications, and plans.
4. Flood Studies:
a. Flood Elevation Study (FES): If required by the specific standards identified in this article, a FES, prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho, must be approved by the floodplain administrator prior to the commencement of any development. The study shall be submitted electronically and in paper form to include:
(1) A title;
(2) A table of contents;
(3) The location and description of the property;
(4) A scope of work;
(5) Analysis and documentation of methods and procedures to determine the flood elevation and any additional information required by this article;
(6) A discussion of the proposed use in the existing floodplain and the surrounding land uses;
(7) A discussion of floodplain regulation compliance; and
(8) All other items identified on the floodplain checklist as may be applicable and/or as may be required by the floodplain administrator.
b. Hydraulic & Hydrology Analysis with No-Rise Certification: If hydraulic and hydrology analysis with no-rise certification is required by any of the specific standards contained in this article, an analysis and certification shall be prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho and shall be submitted with the floodplain application. The documentation shall include a FES, a completed floodplain checklist, and all other supporting technical data which confirms that the proposed development will not result in an increase of the base flood elevation (BFE) for the full cross section of SFHA. The analysis and certification must be approved by the floodplain administrator prior to commencement of any development.
c. The floodplain administrator will not require a CLOMR be submitted to FEMA if the Hydraulic and Hydrology Analysis can demonstrate a No-Rise condition when comparing the pre and post development floodway elevations. However, a post construction LOMR must be submitted to document the change to the SFHA.
5. Letter Of Map Change (LOMC): If a change or revision of a FIRM is warranted by any of the specific standards identified in this article, the applicant and/or owner shall submit a request to FEMA for an LOMC. The applicant and/or owner may submit the request to FEMA online themselves or retain a professional engineer licensed in the state of Idaho to prepare and submit the amendment and/or revision request to FEMA. A copy of the official amendment and/or revision letter signed by FEMA shall be submitted to the floodplain administrator in accord with the time frames specified in the specific standards contained in this article. (Ord. 835, 12-3-2014; amd. Ord. 914, 6-10-2020)