12-1-1: PURPOSE:

It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health and safety and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed accomplish the following:

   A.   To protect human life and health;

   B.   To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;

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

   D.   To minimize prolonged business interruptions;

   E.   To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges;

   F.   To help maintain a stable tax base by minimizing future flood blight areas; and

   G.   To ensure that those who occupy flood prone areas assume responsibility for their actions. (1988 Code § 7.36.010)