Register to attend virtual public meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting is hosting an informational meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9 where residents can learn about upcoming proposed changes to floodplain regulations, ask questions, and submit comments.

Floodplain regulations for unincorporated Boulder County are set forth in the Land Use Code. The regulations define allowable and prohibited land uses, establish the basis for floodplain development permitting, and require flood protection measures for development in the Floodplain Overlay District. The county’s floodplain regulations apply to the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not in incorporated cities and towns.

Proposed revisions include simplifying flood protection requirements for Manufactured Homes, and clarifying the types of buildings that require Elevation Certificates. Staff is also recommending additional revisions and clarifications based on six years of experience with the last revisions to Land Use Code Article Article 4-400. The last substantial amendments were adopted in 2016.

What: Public meeting to introduce proposed changes to floodplain regulations and to get public input. This meeting will include a presentation and overview of the proposed draft amendments (30 minutes) followed by a question and answer session.
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m.
Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom. Register to attend at boco.org/dc-22-0004
Registration is required, but participants can register at any time, including after the meeting has started. To participate over the phone dial 1-833-568-8864 and enter Meeting ID: 160 479 3037. The information session part of the meeting will be recorded and posted online.

A draft of proposed revisions can be found on the docket website. Comments on the proposed revisions may be submitted via email. For more information, contact Kelly Watson at FloodplainAdmin@bouldercounty.org or 720-564-2652.

Background

In 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published new direction on flood protection requirements for agricultural structures under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Mile High Flood District (MHFD) also approved an amendment to their floodplain regulations relating to occupancy in floodplains. Land Use Code Article 4-400 must be revised to incorporate these changes to ensure the county remains compliant with FEMA and MHFD standards and county residents have continued access to flood insurance and federal flood recovery assistance.

Boulder County has participated in the NFIP since 1979. The NFIP provides a means for county residents to purchase flood insurance and receive federal assistance for flood recovery. In exchange, the county must adopt and enforce floodplain regulations that meet or exceed FEMA and Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) minimum standards for development in the regulatory floodplain. In Boulder County, the regulatory floodplain is known as the Floodplain Overlay District, a zoning district defined by the modeled extent of the predicted 1% annual-chance (100-year) floodplain. No changes to the map of the Floodplain Overlay District are proposed at this time. View Boulder County Floodplain maps.

Next Steps

Staff will accept comments on the proposed Land Use Code text amendments through the end of February before taking the docket to the March meeting of the Boulder County Planning Commission. Pending a recommendation from the Planning Commission, staff will then present the docket at a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.

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