Floodplain Benefits and Development

Benefits:

Flooding regenerates the natural environment creating meadows, wetlands and riparian zones such as those found along the South Boulder Creek open space. These areas are important for improving water and air qaulity, replenishing groundwater resources and supporting wildlife and aquatic habitats.

Floodplain Development:

All floodplain development (not just buildings) requires a local floodplain development permit. Always check with the Planning and Development Services (P&DS) Center to see if a floodplain development permit is required or to report illegal floodplain development. New building construction, substantial improvements and substantial damage must satisfy all flood protection regulations. For residential buildings, this means that the floor must be at least two feet above flood elevations.

Is Your Property in a Floodplain?

Floodplain maps provide the basis for flood management, regulation and insurance requirements by identifying areas subject to flooding which threaten life safety and damage to property.  These maps then guide the community in adopting flood management programs including floodplain preservation, preparedness, education, regulation and mitigation.  The city floodplain map is available online to assist the public in identifying flood-prone properties.

Last Updated on Monday, 23 March 2009 05:26