29-101.  Flood Losses Resulting from Periodic Inundation.  The special flood hazard areas of unincorporated Kearny County are subject to inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base; all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.

29-102.  General Causes of the Flood Losses.  Flood losses are caused by (1) the cumulative effect of development in any delineated floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities; and (2) the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods, hazardous to others, inadequately elevated, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.

29-103.  Methods Used To Analyze Flood Hazards.  The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) that is the basis of this Article uses a standard engineering method of analyzing flood hazards, which consist of a series of interrelated steps.

a.    Selection of a base flood that is based upon engineering calculations, which permit a consideration of such flood factors as its expected frequency of occurrence, the area inundated, and the depth of inundation.  The base flood selected for this Article is representative of large floods, which are characteristic of what can be expected to occur on the particular streams subject to this Article.  It is in the general order of a flood which could be expected to have a one percent chance of occurrence in any one year as delineated on the Federal Insurance Administrator's most current FIS, and illustrative materials.

b.    Calculation of water surface profiles that are based on a standard hydraulic engineering analysis of the capacity of the stream channel and overbank areas to convey the regulatory flood.

c.    Computation of a floodway required to convey this flood without increasing flood heights more than one (1) foot at any point.

d.    Delineation of floodway encroachment lines within which no development is permitted that would cause any increase in flood height.

e.    Delineation of floodway fringe, i.e., that area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the base flood.

29-201.  It is the purpose of this Article to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare; to minimize those losses described in Section 29-101; to establish or maintain the County’s eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 59.22(a)(3); and to meet the requirements of 44 CFR 60.3(d) and K.A.R. 5-44-4 by applying the provisions of this Article to:

a.    Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding or cause undue increases in flood heights or velocities;

b.    Require uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities that serve such uses, be provided with flood protection at the time of initial construction; and

c.    Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for the intended development purposes due to the flood hazard.

29-301.  Lands to Which Article Applies.   This Article shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the County identified as numbered and unnumbered A Zones, AE, AO, and AH Zones, on the Index Maps dated __________, 20___ of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and the Index Map dated __________, 20___ of the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) as amended, and any future revisions thereto.  In all areas covered by this Article, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted under such safeguards and restrictions as the County may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and as specifically noted in Section 29-5.

29-302.  Compliance.  No development located within the special flood hazard areas of the County shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this Article and other applicable regulations.

29-303.  Abrogation and Greater Restrictions.  It is not intended by this Article to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.  However, where this Article imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this Article shall prevail.  All other County laws inconsistent with this Article are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.

29-304.  Interpretation.  In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Article shall be held to be minimum requirements, shall be liberally construed in favor of the Board of County Commissioners, and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by Kansas statutes.

29-305.  Warning and Disclaimer of Liability.  The degree of flood protection required by this Article is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study.  Larger floods may occur on rare occasions or the flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris.  This Article does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage.  This Article shall not create a liability on the part of the County, any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this Article or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

29-401.  Floodplain Development Permit.   A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in Section 29-101.  No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial-improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or other development.

29-402.  Designation of Floodplain Administrator.  The County Building and Zoning Official (Zoning Administrator) is hereby appointed as the Floodplain Administrator to administer and implement the provisions of this Article.

29-403.  Duties and Responsibilities of Floodplain Administrator.  Duties of the Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not be limited to:

a.    Review of all applications for floodplain development permits to assure that sites are reasonably safe from flooding and that the floodplain development permit requirements of this Article have been satisfied;

b.    Review of all applications for floodplain development permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from Federal, State, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required by Federal, State, or local law;

c.    Review all subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, to determine whether such proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding;

d.    Issue floodplain development permits for all approved applications;

e.    Notify adjacent communities and the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);

f.     Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished;

g.    Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new or substantially improved structures;

h.    Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) that the new or substantially improved non-residential structures have been floodproofed; and

i.     When floodproofing techniques are utilized for a particular non-residential structure, require certification from a registered professional engineer or architect.

29-404.  Application for Floodplain Development Permit.  To obtain a floodplain development permit, the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished for that purpose.  Every floodplain development permit application shall:

a.    Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot, block and tract, house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and specifically locate the proposed structure or work;

b.    Identify and describe the work to be covered by the floodplain development permit;

c.    Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;

d.    Indicate the assessed value of the structure and the fair market value of the improvement;

e.    Specify whether development is located in designated flood fringe or floodway;

f.     Identify the existing base flood elevation and the elevation of the proposed development;

g.    Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the floodplain administrator;

h.    Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction; and

i.     Be signed by the permittee or his or her authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority.

29-501.  General Standards.

a.    No permit for floodplain development shall be granted for new construction, substantial-improvements, and other improvements, including the placement of manufactured homes, within any numbered or unnumbered A zones, AE, AO, and AH zones, unless the conditions of this section are satisfied.

b.    All areas identified as unnumbered A zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the 100-year flood; however, the base flood elevation is not provided.  Development within unnumbered A zones is subject to all provisions of this Article.  If Flood Insurance Study data is not available, the County shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources.

c.    Until a floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial-improvements, or other development, including fill, shall be permitted within any unnumbered or numbered A zones, or AE zones on the FIRM, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the County.

d.    All new construction, subdivision proposals, substantial-improvements, prefabricated structures, placement of manufactured homes, and other developments shall require:

1.    Design or adequate anchorage to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy;

2.    Construction with materials resistant to flood damage;

3.    Utilization of methods and practices that minimize flood damages;

4.    All electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

5.    New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters, and on-site waste disposal systems be located so as to avoid impairment or contamination; and

6.    Subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, located within special flood hazard areas are required to assure that:

(a)   All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

(b)   All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;

(c)   Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and

(d)   All proposals for development, including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions, of five (5) acres or fifty (50) lots, whichever is lesser, include within such proposals base flood elevation data.

e.    Storage, Material, and Equipment

1.    The storage or processing of materials within the special flood hazard area that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.

2.    Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods, if firmly anchored to prevent flotation, or if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning.

f.     Nonconforming Use

       A structure, or the use of a structure or premises that was lawful before the passage or amendment of the Article, but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this Article, may be continued subject to the following conditions:

1.    If such structure, use, or utility service is discontinued for twelve (12) consecutive months, any future use of the building shall conform to this Article.

2.    If any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed by any means, including flood, it shall not be reconstructed if the cost is more than fifty (50) percent of the pre-damaged market value of the structure.  This limitation does not include the cost of any alteration to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, building, safety codes, regulations or the cost of any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination.

g.    Agricultural Structures

       Structures used solely for agricultural purposes in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities, including the raising of livestock, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed provided there is no human habitation or occupancy of the structure; the structure is of single-wall design; there is no permanent retail, wholesale, or manufacturing use included in the structure; a variance has been granted from the floodplain management requirements of this Article; and a floodplain development permit has been issued.

h.    Accessory Structures

       Structures used solely for parking and limited storage purposes, not attached to any other structure on the site, of limited investment value, and not larger than 400 square feet, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed provided there is no human habitation or occupancy of the structure; the structure is of single-wall design; a variance has been granted from the standard floodplain management requirements of this Article; and a floodplain development permit has been issued.

i.     Critical Facilities

       All new or substantially improved critical nonresidential facilities including, but not limited to, governmental buildings, police stations, fire stations, hospitals, orphanages, penal institutions, communication centers, water and sewer pumping stations, water and sewer treatment facilities, transportation maintenance facilities, places of public assembly, emergency aviation facilities, and schools shall be elevated above the .2 percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 500-year flood level or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the 500-year flood level the structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.  A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied.  Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator as set forth in Section 29-403 g., h., and i.

j.     Hazardous Materials

       All hazardous material storage and handling sites shall be located out of the special flood hazard area.

k.    Cumulative Improvement

       A structure may be improved (remodeled or enlarged) without conforming to current requirements for elevation so long as the cumulative value of all work done within the last five (5) calendar years does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the structure’s current market value.  If the cumulative value of the improvement exceeds fifty (50) percent of the structure’s current market value, the structure must be brought into compliance with Section 29-502 a.1. which requires elevation of residential structures to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation or the elevation/floodproofing of non-residential structures to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.

29-502.  Specific Standards.  

a.    In all areas identified as numbered and unnumbered A zones, AE, and AH Zones, where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in Section 29-501.b, the following provisions are required:

1.    Residential Construction

New construction or substantial-improvement of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one (1) foot above base flood elevation.  The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.

2.    Non‑Residential Construction

       New construction or substantial-improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other non‑residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the base flood elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.  A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.  Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator as set forth in Section 29-403.g:i.

3.    Require, for all new construction and substantial-improvements, that fully enclosed areas below lowest floor used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement and that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters.  Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(a)   A minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided; and

(b)   The bottom of all opening shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade.  Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

29-503.  Manufactured Homes.  

a.    All manufactured homes to be placed within all unnumbered and numbered A zones, AE, and AH zones, on the County’s FIRM shall be required to be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.  Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.

b.    Require manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within unnumbered or numbered A zones, AE, and AH zones, on the County’s FIRM on sites:

1.    Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;

2.    In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

3.    In an expansion to and existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or

4.    In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial-damage as the result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.

c.    Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within all unnumbered and numbered A zones, AE and AH zones, on the community's FIRM, that are not subject to the provisions of Section 29-503.b, be elevated so that either:

1.    The lowest floor of the manufactured home is a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood level; or

2.    The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.  The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.

29-504.  Areas of Shallow Flooding (AO and AH zones).  Located within the areas of special flood hazard as described in Section 29-301 are areas designated as AO zones.  These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate.  The following provisions apply:

a.    AO Zones

1.    All new construction and substantial-improvements of residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the County’s FIRM (at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified).

2.    All new construction and substantial-improvements of any commercial, industrial, or other non-residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the County’s FIRM (at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified) or together with attendant utilities and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed to that so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.

3.    Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.

b.    AH Zones

1.    The specific standards for all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation has been provided shall be required as set forth in Section 29-502.

2.    Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.

29-505.  Floodway.  Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 29-501, are areas designated as floodways.  Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters that carry debris and potential projectiles, the following provisions shall apply:

a.    The County shall select and adopt a regulatory floodway based on the principle that the area chosen for the regulatory floodway must be designed to carry the waters of the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation of that flood more than one (1) foot at any point.

b.    The County shall prohibit any encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the County during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

c.    If Section 29-505.b is satisfied, all new construction and substantial-improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Section 29-5.

d.    In unnumbered A zones, the community shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources as set forth in Section 29-501.b.

29-506.  Recreational Vehicles.  Recreational vehicles placed on sites within all unnumbered and numbered A Zones, AE, AH, and AO Zones on the County’s FIRM shall either:

a.    Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or

b.    Be fully licensed and ready for highway use*; or

c.    Meet the permitting, elevation, and anchoring requirements of this Article for manufactured homes.

       *A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.

SECTION 29-6   Floodplain Management Variance Procedures

29-601.  Establishment of Appeal Board.  The Kearny County Board of Zoning Appeals is hereby designated the Kearny County Floodplain Management Appeal Board, which shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the floodplain management requirements of this Article.

Responsibility of Appeal Board. 

a.    Where an application for a floodplain development permit is denied by the Floodplain Administrator, the applicant may apply for such floodplain development permit directly to the Appeal Board.

b.    The Appeal Board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this Article.

29-603.  Further Appeals.  Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Appeal Board or any taxpayer may appeal such decision to the District Court as provided in K.S.A. 12-759 and 12-760.

29-604.  Floodplain Management Variance Criteria. In passing upon such applications for variances, the Appeal Board shall consider all technical data and evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this Article, and the following criteria:

a.    Danger to life and property due to flood damage;

b.    Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;

c.    Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;

d.    Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the County;

e.    Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;

f.     Availability of alternative locations, not subject to flood damage, for the proposed use;

g.    Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;

h.    Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;

i.     Safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;

j.     Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters, if applicable, expected at the site; and,

k.    Costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems; streets; and bridges.

29-605.  Conditions for Approving Floodplain Management Variances. 

a.    Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial-improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items b. through f. below have been fully considered.  As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.

b.    Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination, provide the proposed activity will not preclude the structure’s continued historic designation.

c.    Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any significant increase in flood discharge would result.

d.    Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

e.    Variances shall only be issued upon: (a) showing of good and sufficient cause, (b) determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (c) determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with local laws.

f.     The County shall notify the applicant in writing that: (a) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (b) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property.  Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this Article.

29-606      Conditions for Approving Variances for Agricultural Structures.

a.    Any variance granted for an agricultural structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building’s unique circumstances.  Variances granted shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Sections 29-604:605.

b.    In order to minimize flood damages during the 100-year flood and the threat to public health and safety, the following conditions shall be included for any variance issued for agricultural structures that are constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed:

1.    All agricultural structures considered for a variance from these floodplain management regulations shall demonstrate that the varied structure is located in wide, expansive floodplain areas and no other alternate location outside of the special flood hazard area exists for the agricultural structure.  Residential structures, such as farm houses, cannot be considered agricultural structures.

2.    Use of the varied structures must be limited to agricultural purposes in Zone A only as identified on the County’s FIRM.

3.    For any new or substantially damaged agricultural structures, the exterior and interior building components and elements (i.e., foundation, wall framing, exterior and interior finishes, flooring, etc.) below the base flood elevation, must be built with flood-resistant materials in accordance with Section 29-501.d.2.

4.    The agricultural structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structures in accordance with Section 29-501.d.1.  All of the building’s structural components must be capable of resisting specific flood-related forces including hydrostatic, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic and debris impact forces.

5.    Any mechanical, electrical, or other utility equipment must be located above the base flood elevation or floodproofed so that they are contained within a watertight, floodproofed enclosure that is capable of resisting damage during flood conditions in accordance with Section 29-501.d.4.

6.    The agricultural structures must meet all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) opening requirements.  The NFIP requires that enclosure or foundation walls, subject to the one percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood, contain openings that will permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters in accordance with Section 29-502.a.3.

7.    The agricultural structures must comply with the floodplain management floodway encroachment provisions of Section 29-505.b.  No variances may be issued for agricultural structures within any designated floodway, if any increase in flood levels would result during the one percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood.

8.    Major equipment, machinery, or other contents must be protected from any flood damage.

9.    No disaster relief assistance under any program administered by any Federal agency shall be paid for any repair or restoration costs of the agricultural structures.

10.  The County shall notify the applicant in writing over the signature of a County official that:  (1) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for $100 of insurance coverage and (2) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property.  Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this Article.

11.  Wet-floodproofing construction techniques must be reviewed and approved by the County and a registered professional engineer or architect prior to the issuance of any floodplain development permit for construction.

29-607.  Conditions for Approving Variances for Accessory Structures.

a.    Any variance granted for an accessory structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building’s unique circumstances.  Variances granted shall meet the following conditions a well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Sections 29-604:605.

b.    In order to minimize flood damages during the one percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood and the threat to public health and safety, the following conditions shall be included for any variance issued for accessory structures that are constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed:

1.    Use of the accessory structures must be solely for parking and limited storage purposes in Zone A only as identified on the County’s FIRM.

2.    For any new or substantially damaged accessory structures, the exterior and interior building components and elements (i.e., foundation, wall framing, exterior and interior finishes, flooring, etc.) below the base flood elevation, must be built with flood-resistant materials in accordance with Section 29-501.d.s.

3.    The accessory structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure in accordance with Section 29-501.d.1.  All of the building’s structural components must be capable of resisting specific flood-related forces including hydrostatic, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic and debris impact forces.

4.    Any mechanical, electrical, or other utility equipment must be located above the base flood elevation or floodproofed so that they are contained within a watertight, floodproofed enclosure that is capable of resisting damage during flood conditions in accordance with Section 29-501.d.4.

5.    The accessory structures must meet all NFIP opening requirements.  The NFIP requires that enclosure or foundation walls, subject to the one percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood, contain openings that will permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters in accordance with Section 29-502.a.3.

6.    The accessory structures must comply with the floodplain management floodway encroachment provisions of Section 29-505.b.  No variances may be issued for accessory structures within any designated floodway, if any increase in flood levels would result during the 100-year flood.

7.    Equipment, machinery, or other contents must be protected from any flood damage.

8.    No disaster relief assistance under any program administered by any Federal agency shall be paid for any repair or restoration costs of the accessory structures.

9.    The County shall notify the applicant in writing over the signature of a County official that (1) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (2) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property.  Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this Article.

10.  Wet-floodproofing construction techniques must be reviewed and approved by the County and a registered professional engineer or architect prior to the issuance of any floodplain development permit for construction.

29-608.  Conditions for Approving Variances for Temporary Structures.

a.    Any variance granted for a temporary structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building’s unique circumstances.  Variances granted shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Sections 29-604:605.

1.    A temporary structure may be considered for location within the one percent annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year floodplain only when all of the following criteria are met:

(a)   Use of the temporary structure is unique to the land to be developed and cannot be located outside of the floodplain nor meet the NFIP design standards;

(b)   Denial of the temporary structure permit will create an undue hardship on the property owner;

(c)   The County has adopted up-to-date NFIP and building regulations to direct placement and removal of the temporary structure; and

(d)   The County has sufficient staff to monitor the placement, use, and removal of the temporary structure throughout the duration of the permit.

2.    Once all of the above conditions are met, an application for a special use permit must be made to the County Commission.  The County Commission shall consider all applications for special use permits for a temporary structure based on the following criteria:

(a)   The placement of any temporary structure within the special flood hazard areas as shown on the County’s adopted FEMA/NFIP map shall require an approved special use permit.  The special use permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed 180 days.

(b)   Special use permit applications, for a temporary structure to be located in special flood hazard areas, shall conform to the standard public hearing process prior to any community action on the permit request.

(c)   An emergency plan for the removal of the temporary structure that includes specific removal criteria and time frames from the agency or firm responsible for providing the manpower, equipment, and the relocation and disconnection of all utilities shall be required as part of the special use permit application for the placement of any temporary structure.

(d)   On or before the expiration of the end of the 180-day special use permit period, the temporary structure shall be removed from the site.  All utilities, including water, sewer, communication, and electrical services shall be disconnected.

(e)   To ensure the continuous mobility of the temporary structure for the duration of the permit, the temporary structure shall retain its wheels and tires, licenses, and towing appurtenance on the structures at all times.

(f)   Under emergency flooding conditions, the temporary structure shall be removed immediately or as directed by the community and as specified in the emergency removal plan.

(g)   Location of any temporary structure within the regulatory floodway requires the provision of a “no-rise” certificate by a registered professional engineer.

(h)   Violation of or non-compliance with any of the stated conditions of the special use permit during the term thereof, shall make the permit subject to revocation by resolution of the County Commission.  Issuance of permit revocation notice shall be made to the landowner, the occupant of the land, and to the general public.

(i)    Any deviation from the approved site plan shall be deemed a violation of the special use permit approval and the uses allowed shall automatically be revoked.  The subsequent use of the land shall be as it was prior to the special permit approval.  In event of any violation, all permitted special uses shall be deemed a violation of this Article and shall be illegal, non-conforming uses and shall be summarily removed and abated.

(j)    If the temporary structure is to be returned to its previously occupied site, the process for issuing a special use permit must be repeated in full.  Any subsequent permit shall be valid for 180 days only.

29-701.  Violation of the provisions of this Article or failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with granting of variances) shall constitute a misdemeanor.  Any person who violates this Article or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $100, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case.  Each day such violation continues, shall be considered a separate offense.  Nothing herein contained shall prevent the County or other appropriate authority from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

29-801.  The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries set forth in this Article may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, or appealed to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, provided, however, that no such action may be taken until after a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard.  Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in the official County newspaper at least twenty (20) days prior to such hearing. A copy of such amendments will be provided to the FEMA Region VII office.  The regulations of this Article are in compliance with the NFIP regulations.

29-901.  Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this Article shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and to give this Article its most reasonable application.

100-year flood see “base flood.”

Accessory structure means the same as “appurtenant structure.”

Actuarial rates see “risk premium rates.”

Administrator means the Federal Insurance Administrator.

Agency means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Agricultural commodities means agricultural products and livestock.

Agricultural structure means any structure used exclusively in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities.

Appeal means a request for review of the Floodplain Administrator's interpretation of any provision of this Article or a request for a variance.

Appurtenant structure means a structure that is on the same parcel of property as the principle structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.

Area of shallow flooding means a designated AO or AH zone on the County’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a one percent or greater annual chance of flooding to an average depth of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident.  Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.

Area of special flood hazard is the land in the floodplain within the County subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

Base flood means the flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Basement means any area of the structure having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.

Building see “structure.”

Chief engineer means the chief engineer of the division of water resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Chief executive officer or Chief elected official means the County official who is charged with the authority to implement and administer laws and regulations for the County.

Community means any state or area or political subdivision thereof, which has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction.

Development means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, levees, levee systems, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.

Elevated building means for insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

Eligible community or Participating community means a community for which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Existing construction means for the purposes of determining rates, structures for which the “start of construction” commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRMs effective before that date.  “existing construction” may also be referred to as “existing structures.”

Existing manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the County.

Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).

Flood or Flooding means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from: (1) the overflow of inland waters; (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and (3) the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as flash flood, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined above in item (1).

Flood boundary and floodway map (FBFM) means an official map of a community on which the Administrator has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the designated regulatory floodway.

Flood elevation determination means a determination by the Administrator of the water surface elevations of the base flood, that is, the flood level that has a one percent (1%) or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.

Flood elevation study means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards.

Flood fringe means the area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the regulatory flood.

Flood hazard boundary map (FHBM) means an official map of the County, issued by the Administrator, where the boundaries of the flood areas having special flood hazards have been designated as (unnumbered or numbered) A zones.

Flood hazard map means the document adopted by the County Commission showing the limits of:  (1) the floodplain; (2) the floodway; (3) streets; (4) stream channel; and (5) other geographic features.

Flood insurance rate map (FIRM) means an official map of the County, on which the Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

Flood insurance study (FIS) means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.

Floodplain or Flood-prone Area means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see “flooding”).

Floodplain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.

Floodplain management regulations means zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose local laws (such as floodplain and grading ordinances) and other applications of police power.  The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof, that provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.

Floodproofing means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures that reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, or structures and their contents.

Floodway or Regulatory floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.

Floodway encroachment lines means the lines marking the limits of floodways on Federal, State and local floodplain maps.

Freeboard means a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management.  “Freeboard” tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as bridge openings and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.

Functionally dependent use means a use that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water.  This term includes only docking facilities and facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.

Highest adjacent grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

Historic structure means any structure that is  (a) listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; (b) certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; (c) individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or (d) individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either (1) by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or (2) directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

Lowest floor means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement.  An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable floodproofing design requirements of this Article.

Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities.  The term “manufactured home” does not include a “recreational vehicle.”

Manufactured home park or subdivision means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

Map means the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) for the County issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Market value or Fair market value means an estimate of what is fair, economic, just and equitable value under normal local market conditions.

Mean sea level means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.

New construction means, for the purposes of determining insurance rates, structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.  For floodplain management purposes, “new construction” means structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the County and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.

New manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by the County.

(NFIP) means the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Participating community also known as an “eligible community,” means a community in which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance.

Permit means a signed document from the Zoning Administrator authorizing development in a floodplain, including all necessary supporting documentation such as: (1) the site plan; (2) an elevation certificate; and (3) any other necessary or applicable approvals or authorizations from local, state or federal authorities.

Person includes any individual or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association, or any other entity, including Federal, State, and local governments and agencies.

Principally above ground means that at least 51 percent of the actual cash value of the structure, less land value, is above ground.

Recreational vehicle means a vehicle which is (a) built on a single chassis; (b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections; (c) designed to be self-propelled or permanently able to be towed by a light-duty truck; and (d) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Remedy a violation means to bring the structure or other development into compliance with Federal, State, or local floodplain management regulations; or, if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance.

Risk premium rates means those rates established by the Administrator pursuant to individual community studies and investigations, which are undertaken to provide flood insurance in accordance with Section 1307 of the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the accepted actuarial principles.  “Risk premium rates” include provisions for operating costs and allowances.

Special flood hazard area see “area of special flood hazard.”

Special hazard area means an area having special flood hazards and shown on an FHBM, FIRM or FBFM as zones (unnumbered or numbered) A, AO, AE, or AH.

Start of construction includes substantial-improvements, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition placement, or other improvements were within 180 days of the permit date.  The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, any work beyond the stage of excavation, or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation.  Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling, the installation of streets and/or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, foundations, the erection of temporary forms, nor installation on the property of accessory structures, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure.  For a substantial-improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

State coordinating agency means the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, or other office designated by the Governor of the State or by state statute at the request of the Administrator to assist in the implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in that state.

Structure means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.  “Structure” for insurance purposes, means a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on a permanent foundation.  For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.

Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to pre-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

Substantial improvement means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before “start of construction” of the improvement.  This term includes structures, which have incurred “substantial-damage,” regardless of the actual repair work performed.  The term does not, however, include either (1) any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications that have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions, or (2) any alteration of a “historic structure,” provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a “historic structure.”

Temporary structure means a structure permitted in a district for a period not to exceed 180 days and is required to be removed upon the expiration of the permit period.  Temporary structures may include recreational vehicles, temporary construction offices, or temporary business facilities used until permanent facilities can be constructed, but at no time shall it include manufactured homes used as residences.

Variance means a grant of relief by the County from the terms of a floodplain management regulation. Flood insurance requirements remain in place for any varied use or structure and cannot be varied by the County.

Violation means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the County’s floodplain management regulations.  A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required by this Article is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.

Water surface elevation means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 (or other datum where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplain.