A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in MMC § 22E.020.030. The permit shall be for all structures, including manufactured homes, as set forth in Chapter 22A.020 MMC, Definitions, and for all other development, including fill and other activities, also as set forth in Chapter 22A.020 MMC, Definitions. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the building official 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;
(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 the floodproofing criteria in MMC § 22E.020.170;
(4) 
Description of the extent to which a watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development;
(5) 
Where a development is proposed in a floodway, an engineering analysis indicating no rise of the base flood elevation; and
(6) 
Any other such information that may be reasonably required by the floodplain administrator in order to review the application.
(Ord. 3151 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
Duties of the building official shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) 
Permit Review.
(a) 
Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;
(b) 
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;
(c) 
Review all development permits in the area of special flood hazard, except in the coastal high hazard area, to determine if the proposed development adversely affects the flood-carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazard. For the purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point;
(d) 
The site is reasonably safe from flooding;
(e) 
The proposed development is not located in the floodway. If located in the floodway assure no-rise encroachment provisions are met;
(f) 
Notify FEMA when annexations occur in the special flood hazard area.
(2) 
Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with MMC § 22E.020.030, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard, the building official 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 MMC § 22E.020.170, Specific standards, MMC § 22E.020.200, Manufactured homes, MMC § 22E.020.210, Recreational vehicles, and MMC § 22E.020.230, Floodways.
(3) 
Information to Be Obtained and Maintained.
(a) 
Where base flood elevation data is provided through the flood insurance study, FIRM, or required as in subsection (2) of this section, obtain and record the actual 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;
(b) 
For all new or substantially improved floodproofed nonresidential structures where base flood data is provided through the flood insurance study (FIS), FIRM, or as required in subsection (2) of this section:
(i) 
Obtain, verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure was floodproofed; and
(ii) 
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in MMC § 22E.020.080(3);
(c) 
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter;
(d) 
Certification required by floodway encroachments;
(e) 
Records of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance;
(f) 
Improvement and damage calculations.
(4) 
Alteration of Watercourses.
(a) 
Notify adjacent communities and the Washington State Department of Ecology prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration;
(b) 
Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
(5) 
Interpretation of FIRM Boundaries. Make interpretations, where needed, as to exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example, 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 as provided in MMC § 22E.020.110.
(Ord. 3151 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)