(A) Administrative permit required. An administrative permit must be obtained from the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, or other official designated by the City Council prior to conducting the following activities:
(1) The erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation, or alteration of any building, structure, or portion thereof located within any flood plain district. Normal maintenance and repair also requires a permit if such work, separately or in conjunction with other planned work, constitutes a substantial improvement as defined in this chapter.
(2) The use or change of use of a building, structure, or land.
(3) The construction of a dam or fence that blocks flood flows, or on-site septic system (in conjunction with any other permits required by the city).
(4) The change or extension of a non-conforming use.
(5) The repair of a structure that has been damaged by flood, fire, tornado, or any other source.
(6) The placement of fill, excavation of materials, or the storage of materials or equipment within the flood plain.
(7) Any other type of development as defined in this section not otherwise considered a conditional use.
(B) Application for administrative permit. Applications for administrative permits must be submitted to the Community Development Director on forms provided by the Community Development Director. Applications shall include the following materials as applicable:
(1) A site plan showing all pertinent dimensions, existing or proposed buildings, structures, and significant natural features having an influence on the application.
(2) Location of fill or storage of materials in relation to a stream channel.
(3) Copies of any required municipal, county, state, or federal permits or approvals.
(4) Other relevant information requested by the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, as necessary to properly evaluate the permit application.
(C) Certification. The applicant is required to submit certification by a registered professional engineer, registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Flood proofing measures must be certified by a registered professional engineer or registered architect as being in compliance with applicable flood proofing standards in the State Building Code. Accessory structures designed in accordance with § 152.051(B) of this chapter are exempt from certification, provided sufficient assurances are documented.
(D) Certificate of zoning compliance for a new, altered, or nonconforming use. No building, land or structure may be occupied or used in any manner until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued by the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, stating that the use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this chapter.
(E) Record keeping of first floor elevation, certifications, and as-built documentation. The Community Development Director must maintain records in perpetuity documenting:
(1) The elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new structures and alterations or additions to existing structures in the flood plain. The Community Development Director shall also maintain a record of the elevations to which structures and alterations or additions to structures are flood proofed.
(2) All certifications referenced in § 152.111(C) of this chapter as applicable.
(3) Elevations complying with § 152.051(A) of this chapter. The Community Development Director must also maintain a record of the elevation to which structures and alterations to structures are constructed or flood proofed.
(F) Notifications for watercourse alterations. Before authorizing any alteration or relocation of a river or stream, the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, must notify adjacent communities. If the applicant has applied for a permit to work in public waters pursuant to M.S. § 103G.245, this will suffice as adequate notice. A copy of the notification must also be submitted to the Chicago Regional Office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
(G) Notification to FEMA when physical changes increase or decrease base flood elevations. As soon as is practicable, but not later than six (6) months after the date such supporting information becomes available, the Community Development Director, or his/her designee, must notify the Chicago Regional Office of FEMA of the changes by submitting a copy of the relevant technical or scientific data.
(Ord. 481, passed 2-16-2021)