Lacey, WA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Lacey, WA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Core rule
- Development prohibited in flood hazard areas, LMC 14.34.082
- Exemptions
- Five listed, each subject to LMC 14.34.084
- Flood maps
- Thurston County FIS and FIRM dated October 16, 2012
- Permit issued by
- Building official, LMC 14.34.080
- Woodland Creek buffer
- Two hundred feet
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $500.00 fine or ninety days, per violation
Summary
The City of Lacey prohibits development on lands designated as flood hazard areas, with five narrow exemptions for trails, utilities, roads, pre-existing structure maintenance that does not enlarge the footprint, and approved public improvements. Exempt work still needs a development permit from the building official and must meet the extra standards in LMC 14.34.084.
Because of the potential hazard to life and property and the restrictions already in place related to sensitive areas on those lands designated as flood hazard within the city of Lacey, development as defined in LMC 14.34.010 shall be prohibited on lands designated as flood hazard areas with only a few exemptions. Exemptions are listed below and must meet requirements of LMC 14.34.084: A. Trails and recreational improvements for public access to water bodies consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan for Outdoor Recreation and the City Shoreline Master Program, if applicable. B. Public works projects involving the provision or transmission of a utility where no alternative routing options are reasonable. C. Public works projects consistent with the City Transportation Plan where no alternative routing options are reasonable. D. Maintenance activities and improvements to pre-existing structures that do not increase the footprint of the structure and comply with the requirements contained in LMC 14.34.010(U). E. Public activities and improvements approved by the city of Lacey determined to be in the public’s best interest.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 14.34 of the Lacey Municipal Code, Flood Hazard Prevention, sets the flood rules for the City of Lacey, Thurston County, Washington. LMC 14.34.030 adopts the areas of special flood hazard shown in the Flood Insurance Study for Thurston County dated October 16, 2012, and the accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) dated October 16, 2012, along with later revisions. Those documents are kept at Lacey City Hall, 420 College Street S.E.
The core rule is in LMC 14.34.082: because of the hazard to life and property, development is prohibited on lands designated as flood hazard areas, except trails and recreational improvements for public access to water bodies, public works utility projects with no reasonable alternative route, public works road projects consistent with the City Transportation Plan with no reasonable alternative route, maintenance and improvements to pre-existing structures that do not increase the footprint, and public activities approved by the city as in the public's best interest.
Every exemption must meet LMC 14.34.084. That section requires full mitigation of habitat impacts, a two-hundred-foot buffer along Woodland Creek, low-impact development stormwater techniques, no more than ten percent new impervious surface on the floodplain portion of the lot unless mitigated, avoidance or compensation of lost floodplain storage, no septic tanks or drainfields, no dumping, and no new road crossings of streams in the floodplain.
LMC 14.34.080 requires a development permit from the building official before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area, including fill. The application must include the lowest floor elevation on a FEMA elevation certificate and, in a floodway, an engineering analysis showing no rise in the base flood elevation. Under LMC 14.34.120(D), subdividing flood hazard areas for residential structures is prohibited, and the flood hazard portion must be deeded as open space. Variances come through LMC 14.34.110 and Chapter 11.08 LMC.
Violations & Fines
Under LMC 14.34.040, a violation of Chapter 14.34 is a misdemeanor. Upon conviction the penalty is a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment of not more than ninety days, or both, for each violation, plus all costs and expenses of the case. It is also a civil violation under Chapter 14.40 LMC, where penalties run from $100.00 for the first day to $500.00 per day beyond four days, and the city can take other lawful action to remedy the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a new house in a flood hazard area in the City of Lacey?
Where are Lacey's flood maps kept?
Do I need a permit for fill or work in the floodplain?
What is the penalty for violating the flood chapter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lacey
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