Floodplain Information

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Spokane County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). This allows property owners to purchase insurance against flood losses. It also allows Spokane County to be eligible for federal disaster aid should a flood-related disaster be declared here. To participate in this program Spokane County must maintain and enforce a Flood Damage Protection Code meeting the requirements of FEMA and the State of Washington. The Division of Engineering and Roads administers this code for the unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

Spokane County’s Flood Damage Protection Code regulates any development that will occur on property all or a portion of which is determined by FEMA to be in a floodplain. Development includes, but is not limited to buildings, homes, manufactured and mobile homes, other structures, bridges, culverts, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, docks, boat lifts, seawalls, bulkheads, etc. Any development on a parcel which contains floodplain will require a Floodplain Development Permit.

To be issued a Floodplain Development Permit you must first complete a Floodplain Development Permit Application. This application contains information regarding your project that will assist in identifying the specific requirements for your proposed project.

For some projects an Environmental Checklist or JARPA may also be required. For example if you are working below the ordinary high water line or if you are placing more than 500 CY of fill. The Environmental Checklist must go through a review process to determine if the project will have a significant impact on the environment. A Determination of Non-Significance must be issued before a Floodplain Development Permit can be issued.

For any questions regarding the Flood Damage Protection Code or Floodplain Development Permits please contact the Spokane County Environmental Programs Department.

Floodplain Permits:

Phone: 509-477-3600

Floodplain Information:
Email: Floodplains@spokanecounty.org
Phone: 509-477-3600
 


Final DFIRMs along with an updated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) have been issued by FEMA and were effective July 6, 2010.  Click here for additional information and to review the final DFIRM map panels.