A. 
The flood hazard areas of the city of Snoqualmie are subject to periodic inundation 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.
B. 
These flood losses may be caused by the cumulative effects of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard that increase flood heights and velocities and, when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected also contribute to flood loss.
(Ord. 1237 § 1, 2020)
A. 
These regulations are promulgated in order to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed:
1. 
To protect human life and health;
2. 
To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
3. 
To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
4. 
To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
5. 
To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;
6. 
To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of special flood hazard areas so as to minimize blight areas caused by flooding;
7. 
To notify potential buyers that property is in a special flood hazard area;
8. 
To notify those who occupy the special flood hazard areas that they assume responsibility for their actions; and
9. 
To participate in and maintain eligibility for flood insurance and disaster relief.
B. 
It is further the purpose of these regulations to comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program by adoption of floodplain management regulations consistent with federal criteria, as set forth in Title 44 CFR, Subchapter B – Insurance and Hazard Mitigation.
(Ord. 1237 § 1, 2020)
In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:
A. 
Restricting or prohibiting development that is dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which results in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities;
B. 
Requiring that development vulnerable to floods be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction or substantial improvement;
C. 
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers which help accommodate the storage or channeling of floodwaters;
D. 
Controlling the filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage;
E. 
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers that unnaturally divert floodwaters or may increase flood hazards in other areas; and
F. 
Such other measures as are deemed necessary and appropriate in light of any special vulnerability to flood damage of a specific site due to location or natural features.
(Ord. 1237 § 1, 2020)