14.270.050 General Provisions.
A. Lands to Which This Chapter Applies. This chapter shall apply to all special flood hazard areas within the boundaries of the City of Snohomish (44 CFR 59.22(a)).
B. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The special flood hazard areas are identified by the Federal Insurance Administrator in a scientific and engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Snohomish County, Washington and Incorporated Areas” dated June 19, 2020, and any revisions thereto, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) dated June 19, 2020, and any revisions thereto, which are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The FIS and the FIRMs are on file at Snohomish City Hall, 116 Union Ave., Snohomish, WA. The best available information for flood hazard area identification as outlined in SMC 14.270.060(F) shall be the basis for regulation until a new FIRM is issued that incorporates data utilized under SMC 14.270.060(F).
C. Compliance. All development within special flood hazard areas is subject to the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.
D. Enforcement. No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions), shall be subject to SMC Title 14 enforcement actions, including applicable penalties, as described in Chapter 14.85 SMC, Enforcement. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of Snohomish from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
E. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another provision of the Snohomish Municipal Code, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
F. Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
1. Considered as minimum requirements;
2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
3. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.
G. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City of Snohomish, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder. (Ord. 2400, 2020)