(1) Lands to Which this Chapter Applies. This Chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the city and, as an “overlay zone,” shall impose requirements on such areas in addition to those of the zone districts in which such areas are located.

(2) Basis for Establishing the Floodplain Areas. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration, in a scientific engineering report entitled Flood Insurance Study - City of Pullman, Washington, dated May 19, 1981, and any revisions thereto, with accompanying flood insurance rate maps, and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and the FIRM are on file in the city of Pullman Office of Public Works, S.E. 325 Paradise Street, Pullman, Washington. The best available information for flood hazard area identification shall be the basis for regulation until a new FIRM is issued.

(3) Compliance. No structure or land located in a floodplain shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this Title.

(4) Floodplain Development Permit Required. It shall be unlawful to begin construction or development within a floodplain area as established by this Chapter without first obtaining a development permit. A development permit shall be required for all development and must bear the signature of the director.

(5) Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. 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 that the minimum provisions of this Chapter may not protect against can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by natural or man-made causes. This Chapter does not imply that land outside the floodplain areas or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. Reliance on this Chapter alone shall not create liability on the part of the city, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this Chapter or any administrative decision, variance, or appeal lawfully made thereunder. (Ord. 10-2 §2, 2010; Ord. 89-10 §1, 1989; Ord. 89-1 §2, 1989; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).