Floodplain development requirements in layman’s language for the property owner or developer Adequate: Brochure explaining need for a permit and describing the basic process Better: Brochure + “Quick Guide” desk reference Best: Brochure + “Quick Guide” + guidance specific to an ordinance issue (i.e., “Your site is in a floodway…”) Technical information Technical bulletins State publications 2. Establish an Interoffice Review Process Action Determine who should be designated the Floodplain Manager. Ideally, the Floodplain Manager is the person who actually guides the development. Identify all jurisdiction departments that should review floodplain management decisions (health, building, electrical, emergency services, zoning, etc.). Define the Floodplain Manager’s role as coordinator. Assure that all involved departments have basic knowledge of floodplain management requirements and understand their roles in the review process. Develop an interoffice routing and signoff procedure. Assure that all involved staff understand their roles and follow the procedures as intended. 3. Develop an Adequate Permit Application Form Review Action Form design. If forms are not clear and direct, revise them. Form content. Revise periodically to keep forms current. Key elements needed for a good permit. Refer to example at the end of this Job Aid Technical provisions of the ordinance. Ensure that the application form requires applicants to provide technical information specified in the ordinance.* Use/maintenance of NFIP Elevation Certificate. Require completion and maintain to document the as-built elevation of the lowest floor. Use/maintenance of NFIP Floodproofing Certificate. Require completion and maintain to document the height of floodproofing. *A good permit application form can serve as a checklist for the kinds of information that should accompany the application submission. 4. Offer “Over-the-Counter” Consultation Action
Determine which department(s) should provide guidance on floodplain management requirements. Develop procedures to assure that person-to-person guidance is consistent. 5. Check Application for Completeness Step Action Receive pre-application or preliminary application (for example, subdivision plans). Follow pre-application or preliminary application procedures per ordinance. Do not begin formal review until all necessary information is submitted. Review administrative forms to ensure that: All questions are answered. All required signatures are provided. Note important items: Left blank. Not addressed completely. Obviously inaccurate. Ask the applicant to provide missing/correct information. Complete preliminary review of site plans, grading, excavation plans, and building design plans for the following components: Existing and proposed topographic information, including spot elevations Boundaries of the floodway and floodplain Building elevations of all structures showing the level of the BFE Proposed obstructions in the floodway Structures, roadways Utilities Ask the applicant to add any missing components to the plan. Ensure all necessary Federal and State permits are being obtained. Ask the applicant for documentation that he/she applied for required Federal and State permits. Stipulate the project will not proceed until the permits are issued. * Submit application package to other department/agencies: State NFIP coordinating agency Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Protection Agency Soil Conservation Service Adjacent jurisdictions Ask the applicant for sufficient review copies. Develop an internal and external review system. Hold a pre-application conference. Attend development review committees. Submit all proposals to change a floodway delineation or floodplain boundary to FEMA for approval. Ensure that required technical documents are included and properly certified for: Floodway encroachment “no rise” Watertight floodproofing Enclosures below the lowest floor Alternative flood openings Ensure that plans prepared by registered professional architects, engineers, or land surveyors are stamped with the license seal of the professional to certify technical accuracy. If missing, ask a registered professional architect or engineer for: Engineering documentation that encroachment not increase BFE. Statement that design/construction methods for floodproofing meet NFIP standards. Certification that alternatives to minimum standards for enclosures meet NFIP requirements. Statement certifying elevated foundation design/construction method and breakaway wall design with a safe loading resistance exceeding 20 pounds per square foot.
Schedule the visit at the beginning of development, when the site is staked out, to allow comparing plans to the physical layout. It is not uncommon for actual construction to be different from the site plan. Step Action Visit the project site before actual development begins to: Determine that the site identified in the proposed plans is consistent with actual ground conditions. Check setback distances and take measurements, if necessary. Verify the location of floodplain and floodway boundaries, if applicable. The site survey may be completed during the permit review process to help in determining compliance. Assure that temporary benchmarks are established to prevent removal or destruction during construction. Note inconsistencies with plans and noncompliance with regulations. Follow local ordinance provisions to address issues uncovered during the inspection. Inspection 2 of 3 Schedule residential inspections when foundation height can be changed without major difficulty. Remember, making sure a structure is properly elevated is key to the entire regulatory process. Step Action For a proposal involving an elevated structure, ensure that: The lowest floor will be situated to the height specified in the permit application. The type of foundation matches plan specifications. Floodway encroachments are noted. Follow local ordinance provisions to address issues uncovered during the inspection. Place an elevation reference mark on a stationary object such as a tree or telephone pole near the structure that marks the elevation height of the lowest floor. Use a hand to determine whether the lowest floor will reach the regulatory height given the height of the foundation and the type of floor system to be installed. For floodproofing of a nonresidential structure, coordinate inspections with the jurisdiction’s consulting or staff engineer. Floodproofing is a highly technical procedure. Work with the engineer to develop an inspection schedule. Inspection 3 of 3 Schedule inspections at or near the completion of the development. Step Action Ensure that: Placement of fill the necessary slope and protection standards in the local regulations. Follow local ordinance provisions to address issues uncovered during the inspection.