Chapter 14.05
GENERAL REGULATIONS

Sections:

14.05.010    Statutory authorization.

14.05.020    Findings of fact.

14.05.030    Statement of purpose.

14.05.040    Methods of reducing flood losses.

14.05.010 Statutory authorization.

In A.R.S. section 48-3610, the Arizona State Legislature enabled the town of Taylor, Arizona, to assume the powers and duties for floodplain management and adopt regulations in conformance with A.R.S. section 48-3609 designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the town council of Taylor, Arizona, does ordain as follows. [Ord. 2015-02.]

14.05.020 Findings of fact.

A. The flood hazard areas of the town of Taylor are subject to periodic inundation which may result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.

B. These flood losses may be caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities and, when inadequately anchored, cause damage in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated or otherwise protected from flood damage, also contribute to the flood loss. [Ord. 2015-02.]

14.05.030 Statement of purpose.

It is the purpose of this title to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:

A. Protect human life and health;

B. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;

C. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;

D. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;

E. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains; electric, telephone and sewer lines; and streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;

F. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize blight areas caused by flooding;

G. Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard;

H. Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions;

I. Participate in and maintain eligibility for flood insurance and disaster relief. [Ord. 2015-02.]

14.05.040 Methods of reducing flood losses.

These regulations take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws, ordinances and codes.

In order to accomplish its purposes, this title includes methods and provisions to:

A. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities;

B. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;

C. Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;

D. Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and

E. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas. [Ord. 2015-02.]