A. Development Permit Required: A development permit shall be obtained from Twin Falls County planning and zoning administrator before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard. The permit shall be for all structures including manufactured homes, as set forth in the definitions section of this chapter, and for all development including fill and other activities, also as set forth in the definitions section of this chapter.
1. Construction Stage:
a. For all new construction and substantial improvements, the permit holder shall provide to the floodplain administrator an as built certification of the floor elevation or floodproofing level, using appropriate FEMA elevation or floodproofing certificate, immediately after the lowest floor or floodproofing is completed. When floodproofing is utilized for nonresidential structures, the certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer or architect and certified by same.
b. Certificate deficiencies identified by the floodplain administrator shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to work proceeding. Failure to submit certification or failure to make the corrections shall be cause for the floodplain administrator to issue a stop work order for the project.
B. Application For Development Permit: Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the county and may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate, drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:
1. Elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures recorded on a current elevation certificate.
2. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure has been floodproofed.
3. Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing methods for any nonresidential structure meet floodproofing criteria.
4. Description of the extent to which a watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.
C. Designation Of The Local Administrator: The planning and zoning administrator is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
D. Duties And Responsibilities: Duties and responsibilities of the local administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied.
2. Review all development permits to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
3. Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions are met.
E. Use Of Other Base Flood Data: When base flood elevation data or floodway data has not been provided in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; the planning and zoning administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer this chapter.
F. Information To Be Obtained And Maintained:
1. Where base flood elevation data is provided through the flood insurance study, FIRM, or as required in this chapter, information shall be obtained and recorded for the actual (as built) elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the structure contains a basement. This information shall be recorded on a current FEMA elevation certificate.
2. For all new or substantially improved floodproofed nonresidential structures, where base flood elevation data is provided, information is provided through the FIS, FIRM, or as required in this chapter.
a. Obtain and record the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure was floodproofed.
b. Maintain the floodproofing certifications.
c. Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter.
G. Alteration Of Watercourses:
1. Notify adjacent communities and the department of water resources prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the federal insurance administration.
2. Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished.
H. Interpretation Of FIRM Boundaries: The floodplain administrator shall make interpretations where needed, as to exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (e.g., where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation. Such appeals shall be granted consistent with the standards of section 60.6 of the rules and regulations of the national flood insurance program. (Ord. 233, 11-2-2012)