Thurston County facilities are open to the public with safety measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect public and employee health. Learn more here.
Building Requirements in Special Flood Hazard Areas
Thurston County regulates construction in
Special Flood Hazard Areas in
order to protect lives, property, and the environment. These areas
include locations that experience river flooding and groundwater
flooding.
Some of the regulations are found within Thurston County's Building Code; others are found within the county's Critical Areas Ordinance. This page summarizes key provisions of both codes.
Jump to...
What is a Special Flood Hazard Area?
A Special Flood Hazard Area is any area:
Click here for a description of some of the tools Thurston County uses to determine which properties are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Thurston County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (external link), which means our building standards for Special Flood Hazard Areas are based upon federal floodplain regulations set by FEMA.
Building Requirements in Special Flood Hazard Areas
Thurston County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which means our building requirements (codes) for Special Flood Hazard Areas are based upon federal floodplain regulations set by FEMA.
Building
standards in Special Flood Hazard Areas are complicated, but you don't
need to do it alone! The Building Development Center is here to help.
Click here to contact residential plan reviewer Tim Rubert at
rubert@co.thurston.wa.us or call (360) 867-2123.
How is "Base Flood Elevation" Established?
Base Flood Elevations are established using several different sources, including FEMA maps. Click here for a description. Building applicants don't figure out this information on their own; rather, Thurston County requires applicants to submit a pre-construction Flood Elevation Certificate when applying for a permit.
Please be advised that Thurston County's Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program also establish buffers along rivers, streams and marine water bodies.
Contact Us
For questions about building in a Special Flood Hazard Area, contact Tim Rubert at 867-2123 or e-mail rubert@co.thurston.wa.us.
This page last updated: