A. Flood hazard areas 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.
B. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards 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. 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 flood waters;
4. Controlling filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage;
5. Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or may increase flood hazards in other areas;
6. Coordinating and supplementing the provisions of the state building code with local provisions.
(Ord. 1279, passed 6-18-2008)