Opinion ID: 2048575
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the constitutionality of the flood control ordinance

Text: It is well settled in this state that any legislative enactment, including a zoning law, is presumed reasonable, valid and constitutional. State Theatre Co. v. Smith, 276 N.W.2d 259 (S.D.1979). A presumption of validity also applies to zoning ordinances enacted by municipalities. City of Colton v. Corbly, 323 N.W.2d 138 (S.D.1982). This court will uphold a law unless it is unmistakably unconstitutional. State Theatre Co., supra ; Matter of D.T., 89 S.D. 590, 237 N.W.2d 166 (1975). A party, such as Fortier, who attacks the validity of a zoning ordinance carries the burden of overcoming the ordinance's presumption of validity and must show the ordinance is unreasonable and arbitrary. City of Colton, supra . The enactment of a flood control ordinance is a valid function of municipal government. Spearfish, as is true of any other municipality in South Dakota, is empowered to enact ordinances to ... promote the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community.... SDCL 9-29-1. Spearfish's flood control ordinance follows this purpose. Flood Control Ordinance No. 488 § 1.2 (Revised) made two findings of fact supporting its adoption: (1) The flood hazard areas of Spearfish are subject to periodic inundations which results [sic] 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. (2) These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstruction in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities, and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to the flood loss. In effectuating the purposes of the ordinance, Spearfish has not acted arbitrarily and capriciously. The ordinance limits construction in flood plain districts to protect any future construction from increasing potential flood hazards. The protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare of a community is a legitimate municipal function. Fortier has failed to allege any facts supporting his claim that the ordinance is arbitrary, capricious and unconstitutional. Consequently, Fortier fails to meet his burden of proof under City of Colton, supra . See also E. McQuillan, 8A McQuillan Municipal Corporations § 25.295 (3d ed., 1986).