The special flood hazard areas identified by the Federal Insurance Administrator in a scientific and engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Town of Forks, Washington” dated December 16, 1988, and any revisions thereto, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) dated December 16, 1988, and any revisions thereto, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The FIS and the FIRM are on file at Forks City Hall, clerk/treasurer’s office, 500 East Division Street.
The best available information for flood hazard area identification as outlined in FMC § 14.05.432 shall be the basis for regulation until a new FIRM is issued that incorporates data utilized under FMC § 14.05.432.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
All development within special flood hazard areas is subject to the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon a finding of having committed a civil violation, be fined not more than $1,000 for each violation, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city of Forks from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
(1) 
Considered as minimum requirements;
(2) 
Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
(3) 
Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
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 hazards 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 of Forks, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)
This chapter and the various parts thereof are hereby declared to be severable. Should any section of this chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, or any portion thereof, other than the section so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
(Ord. 673 § 2, 2024)