Floodplain Review

A Floodplain Review Application is required when a project is located in a potential flood hazard area.

Flood Study

Flood studies determine the limits of the floodplain, floodway and whether the proposed project will cause flood elevations to increase. Flood studies must be prepared by a licensed engineer. Information on Delineation Surveys can be found in Pierce County Code Sections 18E.70.030.C.D. and E of Title 18E - Development Regulations - Critical Areas.

Flood Boundary Delineation Survey

A Flood Boundary Delineation Survey is required to accurately show where the floodplain is located on a property. Delineation Surveys must be prepared by a licensed surveyor. Information on Delineation Surveys can be found in Pierce County Code Section 18E.70.030.B of the Title 18E- Development Regulations - Critical Areas

Floodplain Elevation Certificate

Buildings that are located within a floodplain must be built to an elevation that is higher than the floodplain elevation. Elevation of the building must be documented on a Floodplain Elevation Certificate. Floodplain elevation certificates must be prepared by a licensed surveyor. Information about Floodplain Elevation Certificates can be found in Pierce County Code Section 18E.70.A.2 of Title 18E - Development Regulations- Critical Areas.

A review guide is available to help fill out the elevation certificate. It provides Pierce County-specific information as well as the key items the reviewer will be looking for in order to approve the permit.

Floodplain Variance

Applicants must submit a floodplain variance request for situations where they desire to modify a County flood standard. Information about Floodplain Variances can be found in Pierce County Code Section 18E.20.060 of Title 18E - Development Regulations - Critical Areas.

Helpful Video Series

The Community Rating System (CRS) Program has 8 videos that cover training on the FEMA Elevation Certificate (EC). The videos describe each section of the EC and explain which fields on the form are required for CRS purposes and why. Each video explains the most common errors that are seen on the forms and how to avoid them. There are also 2 videos covering general issues associated with ECs such as form date rules, page rules, how to handle annexations, how to handle Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) changes after a building is permitted, and how to document different kinds of buildings. And lastly, there is a video on how to correct an EC once you find one with errors.

The videos should be watched beginning with Section A of the form, and ending with “How to Correct an Elevation Certificate.”

The video series can be found on this website: CRS Elevation Certificate Training Series - YouTube

The videos are: