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Planning commission recommends FEMA-compliant floodplain ordinance to county commissioners
Summary
The commission voted May 7 to forward a draft ordinance that adopts FEMA’s model floodplain provisions to preserve eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program; the commission recommended assigning the floodplain administrator duties to the Department of Community Development director or designee.
Clallam County Planning Commission members voted May 7 to recommend a draft floodplain ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners that adopts the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s model provisions required for continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Staff said FEMA completed an update to flood-hazard maps in late 2024 and provided a model ordinance that jurisdictions must adopt to remain NFIP-compliant. “FEMA’s deadline for meeting their requirements was April 24. So we got that accomplished,” the staff member said, noting the Board of County Commissioners adopted a temporary, interim ordinance on April 15, 2025 to meet the deadline. That interim ordinance was described in meeting materials as Ordinance 1029 and set a 60-day stopgap measure while the permanent, publicly noticed process proceeds.
The draft ordinance incorporates FEMA’s model language except for the discretionary assignment of the duties of floodplain administrator; staff recommended the director of the Department of Community Development (DCD) or the director’s designee perform that role so responsibilities are coordinated in one office.
At least one member of the public opposed the emergency ordinance process and raised constitutional objections to federal authority over local land use. A resident argued FEMA is overreaching and said the county should question FEMA’s authority before moving ahead. Commission members replied that adopting FEMA’s minimum requirements was necessary to preserve flood insurance availability for property owners and protect access to mortgage financing. “This is the very minimum that FEMA requires in order to be eligible for the [NFIP],” a staff member said.
Commissioners also discussed whether the county should later consider floodplain measures beyond FEMA’s baseline to address local climate-driven flood risks. Staff said the county may layer additional protections in future rulemaking or the comprehensive plan process but that failing to adopt FEMA’s minimum requirements now would jeopardize insurance coverage and lending for residents in mapped flood zones.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to forward the draft ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners "as written." The motion was seconded and approved by a 5-0 recorded vote; commissioners present who voted in favor were recorded in the meeting minutes as Ron (Long), Katina (Astor), Kaye Riondi, Jane Heilman and Warren Phillips.
Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration; staff said they will continue public outreach and may propose additional floodplain measures as part of forthcoming comprehensive-plan and climate-element updates.
