Resolution 2025-075 – Resolution Setting as Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of an Updated Floodplain Management Ordinance for the City of Tiffin, Iowa.

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. 3. Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this chapter. 4. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provision of this chapter shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only. 5. Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of the governing body and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by State statutes. cty_hr_d_160.doc -6- 4/15/2021