(1) Lands to Which These Standards Apply. These standards shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the city of Stanwood. All development within special flood hazard areas is subject to the regulations contained within this chapter and all other state or federal regulations. Special flood hazards may result from high river flow, alteration of river channels, tsunami, high tides combined with high winds, sea level rise associated with global warming, and increased runoff due to increased impervious surface area.

(2) Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administrator in a scientific and engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study for Snohomish County, Washington and Incorporated Areas,” dated June 19, 2020, and any revisions thereto, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and any revisions thereto, is adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this code. The flood insurance study is on file at City Hall.

(3) Penalties for Noncompliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of these standards and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions of these standards by failure to comply with any of their requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both for each violation and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city of Stanwood from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

(4) Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. These standards are not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where these standards and any other code, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlay, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

(5) Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of these standards, all provisions shall be:

(6) Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by these standards is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by humanmade or natural causes. These standards do not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards, or uses permitted within such areas, will be free from flooding or flood damages. These standards shall not create liability on the part of the city of Stanwood, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on them or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder. (Ord. 1486 § 2 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 1164 § 4, 2004; Ord. 1089 §§ 1, 2, 2000; Ord. 929 Ch. 10(F)(2), 1995).