Floodplain Regulations - Pinal County

Bonito Canyon, Pinal County, August 26, 2003

Floodplain Regulations

The Pinal County Flood Control District strives to regulate safe building in flood hazard areas. By following some simple guidelines and respecting our environment and the property rights of others, we can all build homes and structures that survive the rain storms while protecting our families, possessions, and neighbors. Our goal is to minimize the loss of life and property from flooding by regulating floodplain development and adhering to the provisions of the law.

A.R.S § 48-3647 requires the Pinal County Flood Control District to publish a directory summarizing the subject matter of all of the currently applicable ordinances, codes, regulations, and substantive policy statements in one location as they pertain to development in the floodplain. This webpage will serve as such directory.

Laws/Regulations
The following list of laws governs the way that floodplains are developed in Pinal County. When reviewing permit applications and engineering reports, the Pinal County Flood Control District ensures that all proposed projects meet the minimum provisions of these governing documents.

Pinal County

Pinal County Drainage Ordinance
Pinal County Floodplain Ordinance
Pinal County Subdivision Regulations

State of Arizona

Arizona Executive Order77-6: Floodplain Management
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 48, Chapter 21, Article 1

A.R.S § 48-3601: Definitions
A.R.S § 48-3602: Organization of county flood control district
A.R.S § 48-3603: powers, duties and immunities of district and board; exemptions
A.R.S § 48-3604: Establishing zones in the district
A.R.S § 48-3605: Assistance for floodplain delineations; duties of the director
A.R.S § 48-3606: Assistance for topographic mapping
A.R.S § 48-3607: Director may contract for work
A.R.S § 48-3608: Assistance in flood insurance program
A.R.S § 48-3609: Floodplain delineation; regulation of use; federal requirements
A.R.S § 48-3609.01: Watercourse Master plans; definition
A.R.S § 48-3610: Assumption of powers and duties by cities and towns; resolution; definitions
A.R.S § 48-3611: Citizens' flood control advisory board; qualification; functions
A.R.S § 48-3612: Board of review
A.R.S § 48-3613: Authorization required for development in watercourses; exceptions; enforcement
A.R.S § 48-3614: Declaration of public nuisance; abatement
A.R.S § 48-3615: Violation; classification; civil penalties; strict liability
A.R.S § 48-3615.01: Notice of violation; hearing; final decision; civil penalty; injunctive relief
A.R.S § 48-3615.02: Judicial review; remedies
A.R.S § 48-3616: Survey and report of flood control problems and facilities; comprehensive program;
A.R.S § 48-3617: Development of flood control plan by director of water resources
A.R.S § 48-3618: Resolution calling for bond election; notice; manner of conducting election
A.R.S § 48-3619: Form, issuance and sale of bonds; limitation on bonded indebtedness;
A.R.S § 48-3620: Certification and levy of taxes; limitation
A.R.S § 48-3620.01: Joint projects by zones
A.R.S § 48-3620.02: Authority for zone projects
A.R.S § 48-3621: Right-of-way
A.R.S § 48-3622: Permission required to connect to storm water drain; fee; violation; classification
A.R.S § 48-3623: Authority to issue refunding bonds; procedure; disposition of proceeds
A.R.S § 48-3624: Cooperation in flood control projects
A.R.S § 48-3625: Limitation on powers
A.R.S § 48-3626: Compliance; enforcement
A.R.S § 48-3627: Reimbursement for county services
A.R.S § 48-3628: Condemnation actions; interest

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 48, Chapter 21, Article 2

A.R.S § 48-3641: Definitions
A.R.S § 48-3642: Regulatory bill of rights
A.R.S § 48-3643: Inspections; applicability
A.R.S § 48-3644: Prohibited acts by district
A.R.S § 48-3645: Licensing time frames; compliance; exemption
A.R.S § 48-3646: License application process
A.R.S § 48-3647: Directory of documents
A.R.S § 48-3648: Complaints; board of review
A.R.S § 48-3649: Clarification of interpretation
A.R.S § 48-3650: Exemptions

Federal

Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 59-149 (National Flood Insurance Program)

Part 59: General Provisions
Part 60: Criteria for land management and use
Part 61: Insurance coverage and rates
Part 62: Sale of insurance and adjustment of claims
Part 63: Implementation of section 1306(c) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968
Part 64: Communities eligible for the sale of insurance
Part 65: Identification and mapping of special hazard areas
Part 66: Consultation with local officials
Part 67: Appeals from proposed flood elevation determinations
Part 68: Administrative hearing procedures
Part 69: [Reserved]
Part 70: Procedure for map correction
Part 71: Implementation of coastal barrier legislation
Part 72: Procedures and fees for processing map changes
Part 73: Implementation of section 1316 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968
Part 74: [Reserved]
Part 75: Exemption of State-owned properties under self-insurance plan
Part 76–77: [Reserved]
Part 78: Flood mitigation assistance
Part 79: Flood mitigation grants
Part 80: Property acquisition
Part 81-149: [Reserved]

Other Codes

International Building Code (2012 Edition)
International Residential Code (2012 Edition)
International Plumbing Code (2012 Edition)
International Mechanical Code (2012 Edition)
International Fuel Gas Code (2012 Edition)
International Fire Code (2012 Edition)
International Property Maintenance Code (2012 Edition)
International Energy Code (2006 Edition)
National Electrical Code (2011 Edition)

Technical References
The following list of technical references provide scientific engineering methods and guidance for which the provisions of the laws mentioned above can be complied with. This list of technical references is not meant to be all inclusive as it is impossible to include reference material that would be applicable to every situation. In some unique situations it may be necessary for an engineer or permit applicant to use a methodology or technique that is not covered by any of these references.

Arizona Department of Transportation

ADOT Roadway Engineering Manuals (Main Page)
ADOT Highway Design Manual - Hydrology
ADOT Highway Design Manual - Hydraulics
ADOT Bridge Group: Bridge Design Guidelines

Arizona Geological Survey

Guidelines for Investigating Land Subsidence and Earth Fissure Hazards

Arizona State Standards