§ 24.20.025. High groundwater flood hazard areas—Restricted development zone.

In situations where the no development zone is based on elevation, there may not be a restricted development zone (see Figure 24.20-1). The restricted development zone (RDZ) extends from the outer edge of the no development zone to a ground elevation two feet (vertically) above the base flood elevation, except:

A.

The approval authority may exclude areas less than two feet in elevation above the base flood elevation from the restricted development zone if the applicant's registered professional civil engineer licensed in the State of Washington demonstrates that due to drainage patterns (including the location and size of any existing culverts and ditches), topography, physical barriers, geologic conditions, hydrology, distance from the high groundwater flood hazard area or other relevant factors that the area proposed to be removed from the restricted development zone and adjacent properties will not flood. The approval authority may consult with an engineering geologist, hydrogeologist, professional engineer, or other qualified professional as necessary, at the applicant's expense, to evaluate the flooding potential of the area proposed to be removed from the restricted development zone. The county shall provide the applicant with a cost estimate and obtain their approval prior to consulting with the experts. The application may be closed if the applicant chooses not to bear the cost of the evaluation; or

B.

On sloping parcels where the topography does not reach two feet in elevation above the BFE before it falls in elevation below the base flood elevation, the approval authority shall set the outer boundary of the restricted development zone at the highest point above the base flood elevation (see Figure 24.20-2), if the applicant's registered professional engineer licensed in the State of Washington demonstrates that the area beyond has no or negligible risk of flooding. The approval authority may consult with an engineering geologist, hydrogeologist, professional engineer, or other qualified professional as necessary, at the applicant's expense, to evaluate the flooding potential of the area proposed to be removed from the restricted development zone. The county shall provide the applicant with a cost estimate and obtain their approval prior to consulting with the experts. The application may be closed if the applicant chooses not to bear the cost of the evaluation; or

C.

All new construction proposed in the restricted development zone shall comply with the provisions of this section and TCC 14.38.050.

(Ord. No. 14773, § 3(Att. B), 7-24-2012)