Woodbury County reminds residents to get local floodplain development permits

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Woodbury County officials are reminding residents that they may need to obtain certain permits before they can begin repairing or rebuilding flood-damaged structures.

According to a press release from Woodbury County Community and Economic Development, permits are required for the county’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Participation in the NFIP allows property owners to purchase flood insurance and receive flood disaster assistance, state and federal grants and loans, and buyout funds for flood-prone property.

Woodbury County’s floodplain management ordinance requires that permits are obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area, including repairs or reconstruction of structures damaged by flooding.

This permit can not be waived, however, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors took action to waive the $110 floodplain development permit fee.

Special conditions apply to buildings with substantial damage. The total cost of repairs is 50 percent or more of the structure’s pre-flood market value. If a building has substantial damage, regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain ordinance is demonstrated.

The cost to repair must be calculated for full repair to “pre-damaged” condition, even if the owner wants to do less. The total cost to repair includes structural and finish materials as well as labor. If labor and materials have been donated they must still be assigned a value. If local building codes require the structure to be repaired according to certain standards, these additional costs must be included in the full repair cost for the structure.

State and federal assistance may be available to property owners to reduce the chances of future flood damage. Flood insurance may also provide up to $30,000 to protect a structure from future flood damage.

Property owners and residents with flood-damaged buildings are encouraged to contact Dan Priestley at Woodbury County Planning and Zoning at 712-279-6609 for more on repairs and reconstruction of flood-damaged buildings and the process for obtaining a floodplain development permit.

To get a Floodplain Development Permit application, click here . For more information, click here

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.