18.05.250 Critical area – Frequently flooded areas

18.05.250 Critical area – Frequently flooded areas.

a. The City of Kettle Falls designates those areas of special flood hazard indicated in the Flood Hazard Boundary Map/Flood Insurance Rate Map (or as amended) and Flood Boundary/Floodway Map (or as amended) as frequently flooded areas.

b. Since the above-referenced maps and flood insurance study are nearly 30 years old, the city shall pursue remapping by FEMA to ensure accuracy of the floodway and floodplain boundaries when funding is available.

c. Flood hazards are not necessarily constrained to those areas detailed in the flood insurance study and maps; therefore, mapping for the areas of local concern shall be undertaken as information becomes available, subject to availability of funds.

B. Mapping. The Flood Hazard Boundary Map/Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Boundary/Floodway Map referred to above (or subsequent revisions to those maps) shall serve as the official maps of frequently flooded areas. Official maps, along with supporting documentation, shall be used to review development proposals.

C. Standards. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter and the requirements of the underlying zone, the following minimum standards shall apply to development activities within and adjacent to flood hazard areas:

1. All development within flood hazard areas shall be reviewed by the city administrator; the administrator will complete a review of the FEMA flood hazard maps, and other source documents, for any development to determine whether the proposed project area for a regulated activity falls within a potential flood hazard area. Prior to city approval of any proposed flood hazard area development, any necessary permits from those governmental agencies from which prior approval is required by federal or state law, including but not limited to Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1334, must be provided to the city by the applicant.

2. Where flood hazard areas coincide with other designated critical areas, critical areas reports and mitigation plans shall address any combined functions and values.

3. Structures shall be located outside of flood hazard areas except where no alternative location exists.

4. Following construction of a structure within the floodplain where base flood elevation is provided, the applicant shall obtain an elevation certificate that records the elevation of the lowest floor. The elevation certificate shall be completed by a surveyor licensed in the state of Washington and shall be submitted to the city for recording.

5. Fill and grading in flood hazard areas shall occur only upon a determination by a qualified professional that the fill or grading will not block side channels, inhibit channel migration, increase flood hazards to others, or be placed within a defined channel migration zone.

6. Subdivision in flood hazard areas is subject to the following:

a. All lots created shall have adequate building space outside flood hazard areas, including the floodway, 100-year floodplain, and channel migration zones;

b. Plat maps shall indicate the floodway, 100-year floodplain and channel migration zone;

c. Subdivisions shall be designed to minimize or eliminate the potential for flood damage; and

d. Subdivisions shall provide for stormwater drainage, in accordance with city standards, so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

7. Development within the severe hazard channel migration zone shall be allowed only upon a determination by a qualified professional that the development will not limit channel migration or avulsion; require current or future bank stabilization; affect upstream or downstream properties; or result in a net loss of ecological functions associated with rivers and streams. (Ord. 1803, §1, 2022).