A. Statement of Purpose. This chapter promotes the public health, safety, and general welfare, and minimizes public and private losses due to flood conditions. This chapter regulates development which is or might be dangerous to health, safety and property by requiring, at the time of initial development or substantial improvement, methods of protection against flood damage in areas vulnerable to flooding. This chapter regulates developmental impacts, including filling; grading; erosion; barriers; alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, or watercourses; and any other impacts that aggravate or cause flood hazards.
B. Findings of Fact.
1. Certain areas of the city are subject to periodic flooding 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. These potential flood losses are aggravated by the cumulative effect of development in special flood hazard areas (as defined in Section 15.104.020), which increase flood heights and velocities. Development that is inadequately floodproofed, elevated, or otherwise protected from flood damage also contributes to the flood loss and if inadequately anchored can cause damage in other areas.
3. The imposition of adequate controls for development in special flood hazard areas will:
a. Protect human life and health;
b. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
c. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding;
d. Minimize business interruptions;
e. Minimize damage to streets, sewers, bridges, utilities and other public facilities;
f. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the use and development of special flood hazard areas.
4. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program managed by FEMA that enables property owners, renters, and businesses in the cities and communities that participate in the program to purchase flood insurance from the federal government through a network of insurance companies. Insurance provides protection against losses caused by flooding. Because the city participates in the NFIP, federal regulations require the city to protect federally-financed investments in established Special Flood Hazard Areas of the city. This type of insurance is generally unavailable from private sector insurance companies and confers a substantial and significant benefit to the residents in the city.
Participation in the NFIP provides the city with federal assistance, including federal grants, loans or guarantees made by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration, Federal Housing Administration, and the Veterans Administration. It also qualifies the city's residents for emergency federal relief after a flood disaster, such as the temporary housing program. Flood insurance is also required by certain private lenders pursuant to federal rules and regulations. The ability to refinance mortgages may also be affected by the city's participation in the NFIP. To participate in the NFIP, the city must enact an ordinance that includes effective enforcement provisions and meets the minimum federal floodplain management criteria prescribed in Part 60 of Subchapter B of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and this chapter is intended to do so. (Ord. 2023-0020 § 1; Ord. 2011-046 § 2; prior code § 9.26.1001)