The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified special flood hazard areas within the boundaries of Riviera Beach and such areas may be subject to periodic inundation which may result in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.  Riviera Beach was accepted for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program on September 22, 1972 and the City Council desires to continue to meet the requirements of Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 59 and 60, necessary for such participation.

Chapter 25 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled, “Flood Prevention and Protection” was approved in 2002 by Ordinance No. 2929 and repealed and replaced on December 21, 2016 by Ordinance No. 4088, “Floodplain Management;”.  FEMA has updated and revised the Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps that apply to the City of Riviera Beach.  Chapter 553, Florida Statutes, was adopted by the Florida Legislature to provide a mechanism for the uniform adoption, updating, amendment, interpretation and enforcement of a state building code, called the Florida Building Code. 

The City Council adopted requirements (1) to increase the minimum elevation requirement for buildings and structures in flood hazard areas; and (2) establish requirements for critical facilities in flood hazard areas prior to July 1, 2010 and, pursuant to section 553.73(5), F.S., formatted those requirements to coordinate with the Florida Building Code as part of Ordinance No. 4088.  On June 8, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Board reviewed and unanimously recommended approval of the proposed revisions to Ordinance No. 4088 to the City Council. 

City staff recommends approval of this Ordinance.

(First reading was approved on September 6, 2017).