Any development activity (construction, grading activities, utility work) that takes place in the regulatory floodplain, erosion hazard area, or mapped riparian habitat will require a Floodplain Use Permid (FPUP). An FPUP is the most common type of permit that the Regional Flood Control Districts (RFCD) issue. FPUP application requirements vary from activity to activity, but there are some documents and information required for nearly every permit.
FPUP Requirements
• A completed FPUP application that includes your contact information, tax code, the property address, and a description of the work
• A Development Services Building Permit or Grading Permit, if necessary
• A site plan to scale showing current improvements and the proposed work on the property
An RFCD hydrologist will review the permit, determine the flood hazards, and place conditions on the construction of the proposed improvement. Possible conditions include elevating the structure, requiring a foundation depth, using floodproof materials, and orienting the structure parallel to flow.
More information including specific FPUP requirements can be found online.
Did you know?
Pima County now processes all of its permits electronically. Improved interdepartmental coordination and faster response times often mean you can start making improvements to your property more quickly.
Elevation Certificates
Elevation Certificates are required for every structure (single-family residence, mobile home, detached garage, etc.) located within or partially within a regulatory floodplain. An Elevation Certificate is a tool
that the RFCD and the National Flood Insurance Program use to make sure structures constructed within flood-prone areas are elevated in accordance with the required standards for flood safety, and is
a critical component of RFCD’s goal of ensuring compliance with FEMA regulations.
There are two types of Elevation Certificates that need to be completed. The elevation data for any Elevation Certificate for permitting purposes must be completed by an Arizona Registered Land Surveyor or Civil Engineer.
Under Construction Elevation Certificate
This certificate ensures that a site-built structure is going to be elevated as required by the FPUP. The certificate is completed once the forms for the floor slab are in place, but prior to pouring the slab. This step reduces risk to the property owner that a structure will be inadequately elevated, which is very expensive to fix.
Finished Construction Elevation Certificate
This certificate is completed once the structure has been built and all machinery and/or equipment servicing the building such as air conditioning units or water heaters have been installed. This certificate is also used by NFIP to establish flood insurance premiums. The RFCD may also require that you submit an Elevation Certificate for any existing structures if one is not already on file, and the structure has or should have an FPUP.
Here are a couple helpful websites:
Pima County Regional Flood Control District
FPUP Requirements
Guest Blog by Patricia Gilbert, Land & Home Site Specialist, Long Realty Co., and Principal Hydrologist at Pima County Regional Flood Control District
