The Legislature of the state of Washington has delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the city council ordains as set out in this chapter.
(Ord. 419 § 1.1, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
A. 
The flood hazard areas of the city are subject to periodic inundation which results 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 are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard which increase flood heights and velocities, and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are adequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss.
(Ord. 419 § 1.2, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
It is the purpose of this chapter 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:
A. 
To protect human life and health;
B. 
To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood-control projects including restoration of wetlands and streams;
C. 
To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
D. 
To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
E. 
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;
F. 
To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas;
G. 
To ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;
H. 
To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions; and
I. 
To participate in, and maintain eligibility for, flood insurance and disaster relief.
(Ord. 419 § 1.3, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:
A. 
Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;
B. 
Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
C. 
Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;
D. 
Controlling filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; and
E. 
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters, or which may increase flood hazards in other areas.
(Ord. 419 § 1.4, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the city.
(Ord. 419 § 3.1, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administrator in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for King County, Washington, and Incorporated Areas," (FIS) dated August 19, 2020, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRM), and any revisions thereto, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The FIS and FIRM are on file at the City of Lake Forest Park City Hall, 17425 Ballinger Way N.E.
(Ord. 419 § 3.2, 1989; Ord. 636 § 1, 1995; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1150 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
The ordinance codified in this chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where the ordinance codified in this chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
(Ord. 419 § 3.4, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
A. 
Considered as minimum requirements;
B. 
Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
C. 
Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.
(Ord. 419 § 3.5, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes, and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard, or uses permitted within such areas, will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the city, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administrator for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.
(Ord. 419 § 3.6, 1989; Ord. 937 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1208 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020)