Chapter 160: Floodplain Regulations
In the August 2026 draft recodification (Building and Property Regulations), from page 383. Current 160 Flood Plain Regulations.
Comparison with a draft: not adopted. The archive holds no public hearing, ordinance or vote adopting the recodified Code through the October 20, 2026 meeting packet. Until one is adopted, every page here compares the consolidated code with a draft that can still change: the revised draft with the October 6 changes is not in the archive.
A comparison with the August 2026 draft recodification prepared by Iowa Codification for the City. The draft has not been adopted and can still change; the current code (unofficial compilation) governs until a recodified Code is adopted. Matches between sections are made by machine from the texts and are reviewed where uncertain.
The city's explanation
“The floodplain chapter has been updated using the newer floodplain standards supplied by the Iowa DNR in May 2026.”
1 unchanged, 8 wording changed · 9 notable changes.
Section by section
§ 160.01 Definitions→ § 160.01 Definitions · Wording changed minor wording (98% same words) · compare the texts
§ 160.02 Statutory Authority, Findings Of Fact And Purpose→ § 160.02 Statutory Authority, Findings Of Fact, And Purpose · Wording changed minor wording (100% same words) · compare the texts
§ 160.03 General Provisions→ § 160.03 General Provisions · Wording changed wording changed (93% same words) · compare the texts
- Text removed: …distances on the official Flood Insurance Rate Map.
Where uncertainty exists with respect to the precise location of the base flood boundary, the location shall be determined on the basis of the base flood elevation at the particular site in question.When an interpretation is needed as to the…
§ 160.04 Administration→ § 160.04 Administration · Wording changed minor wording (96% same words) · compare the texts
- New requirement: …value of the structure prior to the improvements. The detailed cost estimate shall include the true cost of both labor and materials. (8) Such other information as the Administrator deems…
§ 160.05 Flood Plain Management Standards→ § 160.05 Floodplain Management Standards · Wording changed wording changed (92% same words) · compare the texts
- New requirement: …shall provide for adequate interior drainage. In addition, structural flood control works shall be approved by the Department of Natural Resources shall approve structural…
- New requirement: …within the altered or relocated portion. In addition, such alterations or relocations must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources must approve such…
- New requirement: …a residential use are not exempt from the
baseBase Flood Elevation requirements where the following criteria are satisfied. a. The structure shall be designed to have low flood elevation requirements. L. Recreational Vehicles. Recreational vehicles… - New requirement: …use are not exempt from the base flood
elevation requirements.damage potential. Its size shall not exceed 600 square feet in size. Those portions of the structure located less than 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation must be constructed of flood-resistant materials. b. The structure shall be used solely for low flood damage potential purposes such as vehicle parking and limited storage. The structure shall not be used for human habitation. c. The structure… L. Recreational Vehicles. Recreational vehicles are exempt from… - New requirement: …160.05(E) regarding anchoring and elevation of factory-built homes. (3) Any campground with overnight lodging shall have an evacuation plan that includes the following: a. Responsible parties for carrying out the evacuation plan. b. Action stages that are based on stream levels, gage data, or weather forecasts, as appropriate. c. A detailed list of actions that need to be taken to ensure all vehicles and campers are evacuated, including how notifications are to be… M. Pipeline Crossings. Pipeline river and stream crossings…
- Text removed: …with sufficient technical information to make such determination.
Review by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is not required for the proposed construction of new or replacement bridges or culverts where (i) the bridge or culvert is located on a stream that drains less than 2 square miles, and (ii) the bridge or culvert is not associated with a channel modification that constitutes a channel change as specified in 567-71.2, Iowa Administrative Code.A. All development shall: (1) Be designed and…
§ 160.06 Variance Procedures→ § 160.06 Variance Procedures · Wording changed minor wording (97% same words) · compare the texts
§ 160.07 Nonconforming Uses→ § 160.07 Nonconforming Uses · Wording changed minor wording (97% same words) · compare the texts
§ 160.08 Penalties For Violation→ § 160.08 Penalties For Violation · Wording changed wording changed (91% same words) · compare the texts
- New requirement: …or imprisoned for not more than (30) days. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained prevent the City from taking…
“The final penalty provision is also clarified at $500 maximum and/or 30 days, with each continuing violation treated as a separate offense.”
§ 160.09 Amendments→ § 160.09 Amendments · Unchanged · compare the texts
‹ 158 Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) · 161 Post-construction Stormwater Runoff Control › · This chapter as JSON
Data last updated October 22, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.