The City currently has interim floodplain development regulations in effect through February 2022 so that the City’s floodplain map and development regulations are consistent with federal law. Here is a link to the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) required updates to regulations and the map based on the National Flood Insurance Program (Code of Federal Regulations Title 44 Part 60) and the February 2020 updated floodplain map for King County. This map (called the Flood Insurance Rate Map) identifies properties that are at risk of flooding and is used to determine which properties are required to have flood insurance.
SDCI is working on a proposal for permanent floodplain development regulations and we will be holding a public meeting on the permanent regulations.
Meeting Details:
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Webex registration link: https://bit.ly/CoSFloodplain
Dial in: 206-207-1700
Access code: 187 352 4741
For more information about the floodplain regulations, please visit our Floodplain Development Regulations Update webpage. You can also sign up to receive emails on this update by clicking the Subscribe Now button on that webpage.
The City of Seattle requires properties within FEMA’s mapped areas, as well as areas identified as flood prone through Seattle’s environmentally critical areas regulations, to meet standards intended to protect the lives of occupants and mitigate damage to property and buildings. These standards vary by the specific flood zone designations, characteristics of the property, and the nature of the development proposed. Generally, the requirements include:
- The elevation that the first floor of a new structure must be built at to keep the first story above anticipated flood levels
- Structures must be engineered to withstand wind from anticipated storms
- Structures must be engineered to withstand flood waters should anticipated flood levels be exceeded
If you have questions regarding the interim Floodplain Development Regulations or map, please contact Joel Lehn at Joel.Lehn@seattle.gov. If you have questions regarding the permanent Floodplain Development Regulations, please contact Maggie Glowacki at Margaret.Glowacki@seattle.gov.