Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Island County

Island County, WA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Island County, WA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit required: Before any construction, fill, or subdivision in flood hazard area
Governing FIRM: Adopted March 7, 2017 flood insurance study and map
Reviewing official: Planning Director, acting as Floodplain Administrator
Permit type: Type II decision under Chapter 16.19
Appeal deadline: 14 days to the Hearing Examiner
Enforcement: Code enforcement under §§ 17.03.260.B, .D-.G

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Island County, WA.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Island County, WA on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

In unincorporated Island County, any construction, fill, grading, or land division within a mapped area of special flood hazard requires a development permit from the Planning and Community Development Department before work begins. The Floodplain Administrator, the Planning Director, reviews applications for structures, manufactured homes, and subdivisions under the county's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, keyed to FEMA's March 7, 2017 flood insurance study and rate map.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Island County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in section 14.02A.030.B. A development permit is required for all structures including manufactured homes, and for all development, including fill and other activities within any area of special flood hazard, including subdivision or other division of land.

View official code

Full Breakdown

02A governs all land in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's mapped areas of special flood hazard, based on the Flood Insurance Study for Island County adopted March 7, 2017 and the accompanying digital flood insurance rate map (FIRM). 040, no structure, manufactured home, fill, grading, or subdivision may proceed in a special flood hazard area without a development permit issued through the Island County Permit Center. 19. The applicant must record a title notice disclosing that the parcel lies within the Riparian Habitat Zone or the 100-year floodplain, and pay a development-permit fee set by the Board of County Commissioners.

The Floodplain Administrator also screens applications for impacts on wetlands that help absorb floodwaters and, where the National Marine Fisheries Service's 2008 Biological Opinion applies, may require a floodplain habitat assessment before approval. 100.

Violations & Fines

Building or filling in a special flood hazard area without the required Chapter 14.02A permit is enforced through the code enforcement process set out at Island County Code Sections 17.03.260.B and 17.03.260.D through .G, and the county may pursue any other lawful remedy to stop or correct the violation. A structure lacking an elevation certificate or other proof of compliance is presumed in violation until the owner produces documentation of compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in an Island County flood zone?

Yes. Island County Code Section 14.02A.040 requires a development permit for any structure, manufactured home, fill, grading, or land division within an area of special flood hazard shown on the county's FEMA flood insurance rate map. Apply through the Island County Permit Center in the Planning and Community Development Department before construction begins; the Floodplain Administrator reviews it as a Type II permit decision.

Who decides floodplain development permits in Island County?

The Planning Director serves as the county's Floodplain Administrator and may delegate that authority to other planning staff. The Floodplain Administrator reviews permit applications, verifies compliance with Chapter 14.02A, maintains elevation certificates and variance records, and notifies FEMA of watercourse alterations and mapping changes under Section 14.02A.040.B and .C.

Can I appeal a floodplain permit denial in Island County?

Yes. Section 14.02A.100 lets anyone aggrieved by a Floodplain Administrator decision file an appeal with the Island County Hearing Examiner, heard as a Type II permit appeal under Chapter 16.19. The appeal must be filed within fourteen days of the permit decision being issued, or the decision becomes final.

Sources & Official References

[1]Island County Code Chapter 14.02A, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Municode)

Other rules in Island County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingLight Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSignificant Restrictions Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesFew Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Island County rules

Compare Island County to another location·View the Washington environmental rules overview

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.