A. Statutory Authorization: The legislature of the State of Idaho has in Idaho Code sections 46-1010 through 46-1024, 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 City hereby adopts the provisions set forth in this chapter.
B. Findings Of Fact:
1. The flood hazard areas of the City are subject to periodic inundation which may result 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. Flood losses may be by manmade or natural causes, and/or by the cumulative effect of structures located in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities and can damage property. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated, anchored or otherwise protected from flood damage may also contribute to the flood loss.
C. Purpose: It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to 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 for 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, roads and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard; and
6. To help maintain a stable tax base by encouraging development of areas not known to be subject to special flood hazard. (Ord. 531, 4-2-2014)