Floodplain Development Regulations Update - Timeline
Timeline
Initiation: February 2020, FEMA published a Flood Hazard Determination adopting a new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Seattle
Phase 1 - Interim Floodplain Development Regulations:
- Addressed the FEMA required changes to meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections 60.3.c, d, and e
- FEMA review of draft interim regulations April in July 2020
- City Council adopted Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on July 20, 2020
- Floodplain Development Regulations effective date of August 23, 2020
- Public Hearing on adopted Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on September 9, 2020
Phase 2 – 1st Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Fall 2020/Winter 2021:
- City Council Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee briefing on extending the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on December 13, 2020
- Public Hearing on adopted Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on January 13, 2021
- City Council Adopted extension of Interim Regulations February 2021
Phase 3 – SEPA Analysis and Decision for the Proposed Permanent Floodplain Development Regulations, 2021:
- Addressed items that were not required by FEMA but may facilitate easier implementation of the Floodplain Development Regulations
- Conducted analysis on properties that are mapped by SPU as "flood prone" but not mapped by FEMA to determine if additional areas need to be included in the regulations
- FEMA reviewed the proposed changes to the interim Floodplain Development Regulations
- SEPA process including July 2021 appeal
- Public comment period and public meetings
Phase 4 – 2nd Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Winter 2022:
- City Council Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee briefing and Public Hearing on extending the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on February 9, 2022
- City Council Adopts Extension of Interim Regulations February 2022.
Phase 5 – 3rd Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Summer 2022:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on August 9, 2022
Phase 6 – 4th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Winter 2023:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on February 14, 2023
Phase 7 – 5th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Summer 2023:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on August 15, 2023
Phase 8 – 6th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Winter 2024:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on February 13, 2024
Phase 9 – Published a new SEPA analysis and decision on August 1, 2024
Phase 10 – 7th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Summer 2024:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on August 6, 2024
Phase 11 – 8th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Winter 2025:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on February 4, 2025
Phase 12 – 9th Extension of Interim Floodplain Development Regulations, Summer 2025:
- Public Hearing and Full Council vote to extend the Interim Floodplain Development Regulations on August 4, 2025
Phase 13 – Published an Addendum to the August 1, 2024 SEPA decision on August 21, 2025. Expect the legislative process to begin Summer 2025 and adoption of Permanent Floodplain Development Regulations Fall 2025