Kansas Administrative Regulations
Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
Article 44 - FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
Section 5-44-4 - Floodplain management; zoning regulations; minimum standards and criteria

Universal Citation: KS Admin Regs 5-44-4

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 39, September 26, 2024

Any zoning regulation which regulates development of floodplains shall include the following minimum standards and criteria:

(a) Flood hazard areas shall be identified as follows:

(1) The flood hazard area subject to floodplain management zoning regulation shall be identified by reference to a specific map used to identify the flood hazard. The identification of the map shall include the preparer of the map and the date it was prepared.

(2) When the flood hazard map is revised and republished with a new effective date, the governing body's floodplain management zoning regulations shall amend the zoning regulations to adopt the new map by reference.

(b) The development standards shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the national flood insurance act of 1968, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 4001 et seq. and the regulations adopted pursuant to that act.

(c) Any development standards adopted by the governing body for which minimal requirements have been set by the chief engineer in K.A.R. 5-45-1 et seq. shall meet or exceed the requirements of the chief engineer.

(d) The governing body shall designate a local floodplain administrator by position or job title. The local floodplain administrator's responsibilities shall include:

(1) the review and issuance of floodplain development permits;

(2) the conduct or direction of appropriate inspections;

(3) the maintenance of any records necessary to document compliance with floodplain development permit conditions; and

(4) any other matters deemed appropriate by the governing body.

(e) The governing body shall designate by position or job title an enforcement officer who is responsible to enforce the actions of the local floodplain administrator.

(f) The local floodplain administrator and enforcement officer may be combined in a single position or job title.

(g) If any part of a proposed development is located within the floodplain, an application for floodplain development permit shall be made to the local floodplain administrator. The application for a floodplain development permit shall contain:

(1) Sufficient detail for the local floodplain administrator to determine the nature of proposed development and whether permits or approvals are needed from the governing body, state or federal authorities, especially any permits or approvals that may be required by K.S.A. 24-126 or K.S.A. 82a-301 et seq. and their respective regulations; and

(2) Written documentation of adequate protection from damages which could be caused by the base flood.

(h) If the proposed residential development will be located in an area designated as zone AO on a flood insurance rate map (FIRM), any new or substantially improved residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including the basement) elevated above the highest adjacent natural grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM. If no depth number is specified on the FIRM, it shall be elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade.

(i) If the proposed non-residential development will be located in an area designated as zone AO on a FIRM, any new or substantially improved non-residential structure shall be dry flood proofed or elevated to at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM above the highest adjacent natural grade. If no depth number is specified on the FIRM, it shall be dry flood proofed or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade.

(j) If zone AO is not specified on the FIRM, or the proposed development will be located in the floodplain outside zone AO, then the lowest floor of any new or substantially improved residential structure shall be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.

(k) If zone AO is not specified on the FIRM, or the proposed development will be located in the floodplain outside zone AO, then any new or substantially improved non-residential structure shall be dry flood proofed or elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor. If the structure is dry flood proofed, a licensed architect or a licensed professional engineer shall certify that the design and methods of construction of the dry flood proofing meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the national flood insurance act of 1968, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 4001 et seq. and the regulations adopted pursuant to that act.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Kansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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