A development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
(A) Required. Any person, owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct any development in a special flood hazard area shall first make application to the Floodplain Administrator and shall obtain the required floodplain development permit prior to the start of development.
(B) Application for floodplain development permit. The applicant shall file an application in writing on a form furnished by the Floodplain Administrator. Such application shall:
(1) Identify and describe the development to be covered by the permit;
(2) Describe the land on which the proposed development is to be conducted by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the site;
(3) Include a site plan showing the delineation of special flood hazard areas, floodway boundaries, flood zones, base flood elevations, ground elevations, proposed fill and excavation and drainage patterns and facilities;
(4) Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed development is intended;
(5) Be accompanied by construction documents, grading and filling plans and other information deemed appropriate by the Floodplain Administrator;
(6) State the valuation of the proposed work when required; and
(7) Be signed by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent.
(C) Validity of permit. The issuance of a floodplain development permit under this chapter shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of this chapter or any other ordinance of the jurisdiction. The issuance of a permit based on submitted documents and information shall not prevent the Floodplain Administrator from requiring the correction of errors. The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure or site which is in violation of this chapter.
(D) Expiration. A floodplain development permit shall become invalid if the proposed development is not commenced within one year after its issuance, or if the work authorized is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the work commences. Extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to grant, in writing, extensions of up to two years.
(E) Suspension or revocation. The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under this chapter wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or code of this jurisdiction.
(F) Flood hazard certificates. The following certificates shall be submitted to the Floodplain Administrator:
(1) Elevation certificate upon the placement of the lowest floor, including basement, prepared by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor, of the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement. The Floodplain Administrator may require submission upon the placement of the lowest floor, including basement, prior to further vertical construction;
(2) Designed opening certificate prepared by a registered professional engineer for fully enclosed areas below the base flood elevation where provisions to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters do not meet the minimum requirements in § 151.46(D);
(3) “One Foot Rise” certificate along with supporting hydraulic computations, prepared by a registered professional engineer, that development in a designated floodway fringe will result in less than a one foot increase in the base flood heights during the occurrence of a base flood (100-year) discharge;
(4) “No-Rise” certificate along with supporting hydraulic computations, prepared by a registered professional engineer, that development in a designated floodway will result in no increase in the base flood heights during the occurrence of a base flood (100-year) discharge;
(5) Floodproofing certificate documentation of certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction of a nonresidential building are in accordance with accepted practices for meeting the floodproofing requirements in the community’s floodplain management ordinance. This documentation is required for both floodplain management requirements and insurance rating purposes;
(6) Fill placement certification prepared by a registered professional engineer when required by the Floodplain Administrator to ensure proper compaction and slope protection for fill placed in the floodplain;
(7) Manufactured home foundation design certification by a registered professional engineer to meet the requirements in § 151.46(E); and
(8) Improvement floodplain development form shall require:
(a) Detailed improvement list; and
(b) A market value assessment of the structure. If the total improvements of the current project, and the total improvements made over the period of the last 20 years equals or exceeds 50% of the current fair market value of the structure, the property must be brought to current floodplain management standards and requirements of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 8-14) (Ord. 1153, passed 3-19-2012)