Langley to publish draft flood-ordinance amendments to maintain National Flood Insurance Program eligibility

Director Meredith Penny told the council that Washington State Department of Ecology reviewed Langley's flood regulations and recommended mainly technical clarifications to meet National Flood Insurance Program requirements. She said the changes would not expand mapped floodplains, rezone property, or alter mapped floodplain boundaries; instead they clarify definitions, administrative procedures and documentation standards to retain NFIP eligibility.

Penny outlined a schedule: publish the draft ordinance for public comment in January–early February, allow state review, hold a Planning Advisory Board public hearing in February, and aim for council adoption in April. Council members asked about the number of properties in the floodplain and the status of federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding; staff said HMGP has been recently altered at the federal level and the future of certain programs and requirements is uncertain.

Council agreed to proceed with publishing the draft ordinance for public comment. Staff emphasized that the update is primarily administrative and intended to keep residents eligible for federally backed flood insurance.