A. The state of Arizona has delegated the responsibility to each county flood control district to adopt floodplain regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry as provided under the Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 48, Chapter 21, Article 1, Sections 48-3601 through 3629. More specifically, A.R.S. 48-3609 directs county flood control districts to adopt floodplain regulations that:
1. Regulate all development of land, construction of residential, commercial or industrial structures or uses of any kind which may divert, retard or obstruct flood water and threaten public health or safety or the general welfare; and
2. Establish minimum flood protection elevations and flood damage prevention requirements for uses, structures and facilities which are vulnerable to flood damage; and
3. Delineate or by rule require developers of land to delineate floodplains consistent with the criteria developed by the director of water resources; and
4. Comply with state and local land use plans and ordinances, if any.
B. In conformance with A.R.S. 48-3609, this ordinance provides for protection of the public health safety and welfare by regulation of flood and erosion hazard areas to control flood hazards and prevent repetitive loss from flood damage, and to carry out the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.
1. The flood hazard areas of Pima County are subject to periodic inundation which may result in loss of life and property, create health and safety hazards, disrupt commerce and governmental services, require extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impair the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare.
2. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights, flow velocities, and cause flood and erosion damage. Uses that are inadequately flood-proofed, elevated, or otherwise protected from flood damage, also contribute to the flood loss.
(Ord. 2010-FC5 § 1 (part), 2010; Ord. 2005 FC-2 § 2 (part), 2005)