Building in flood zones: permits and rules

Purpose.To minimize the threat to public health and safety due to periodic inundation by storm water.To maintain the characteristics of flood plain areas which contribute to ground water recharge, storm water storage, silt retention and marine water quality.Lands Included. All lands subject to flooding and identified as flood fringe, floodway, and general flood plain areas by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for the County of Kaua'i," dated March 9, 1987, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps.Requirements for Development Within a Flood District. No Zoning, Building, or Use Permit shall be issued, nor shall any use requiring the development, grading or alteration of any portion of the Flood District be permitted, unless the applicant establishes conformity with the requirements of this Section.Applications shall include:Development plans indicating:The location, size, nature, and intended use of all buildings, roads, walkways and other impervious surfaces;Limits and extent of all clearing and grading operations; grading plans showing existing and revised contour lines; cross sections showing cuts and fills anticipated; angles of slopes and structural appliances such as retaining walls and cribbing;Sizes and locations of existing and proposed surface and subsurface drainage with expected quantities, velocities, and treatment of outfalls;Provisions for siltation and erosion control during construction and plans for revegetation of all cleared or graded areas not covered by impervious surfaces;Identification of flood hazards on the site, including the delineation of the floodways and base flood elevations.When required by the Department of Public Works, hydrologic and geologic reports showing the effects of the development on ground water recharge, storm water retention and marine water quality shall be submitted.When required by the Planning Director, an environmental impact study indicating critical areas of concern and the effects of the proposed development on physical, geologic, ecologic and environmental forms and systems such as downstream water quality, flood plains, wildlife, vegetation and marine ecologies, visual and historic amenities, and air or ground water pollution.The use, structure and development, if required, shall be subject to additional construction and development standards provided in Sec. 15-1, Flood Plain Management.The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Planning Director, the Department of Public Works, and the Manager and Chief Engineer of the County Water Department that the proposed development will not have a detrimental effect on the ecology of the area and that the potential damage to public utility, traffic service systems, as a result of the development, has been substantially eliminated.Modification of Requirements. The requirements of this Article shall not apply where the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department of Public Works that the area in question should not have been included in the Flood District under the criteria established in Subsection (b).