Ordinance No. 2025-521 – An Ordinance to Amend the Municipal Code of Tiffin, Iowa, Chapter 160, Flood Plain Management

to protect and preserve the rights, privileges and property of the City or of its residents, and to preserve and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort and convenience of its residents. 2. Findings of Fact. A. The flood hazard areas of the City are subject to periodic inundation which can 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 of the community. B. These flood losses, hazards, and related adverse effects are caused by: (1) The occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to flood damages which create hazardous conditions as a result of being inadequately elevated or otherwise protected from flooding; and (2) The cumulative effect of obstructions on the floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities. C. This chapter relies upon engineering methodology for analyzing flood hazards which is consistent with the standards established by the Department of Natural Resources. 3. Statement of Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of the City and its residents and to preserve and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, and comfort and convenience of its residents by minimizing those flood losses described in Section 160.02(A) with provisions designed to: A. Reserve sufficient floodplain area for the conveyance of flood flows so that flood heights and velocities will not be increased substantially. B. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flood or which cause excessive increases in flood heights or velocities. C. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction or substantial improvement. D. Protect individuals from buying lands which may not be suited for intended purposes because of flood hazard. E. Assure that eligibility is maintained for property owners in the community to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. 160.03 GENERAL PROVISIONS. 1. Lands to Which Ordinance Apply. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all lands and development which have significant flood hazards. The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Johnson County and Incorporated Areas, City of Tiffin, Panels 19103C0154F, 19103C0158F, 19103C0159F, 19103C0160F, 19103C0166F, and 19103C0167F, dated December 26, 2025, which were prepared as part of the Johnson County Flood Insurance Study, shall be used to identify such flood hazard areas and all areas shown thereon to be within the boundaries of the base flood shall be considered as having significant flood hazards. The Johnson County Flood Insurance Study is hereby adopted by reference and is made a part of this ordinance for the purpose of administering floodplain management regulations. 2. Rules for Interpretation of Flood Hazard Boundaries. The boundaries of the Special Flood Hazard areas shall be determined by scaling 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 exact location of a boundary, the Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. The Council shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.