Story County, IA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Story County, IA, 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 floodplain development
- Issuing office
- Story County Floodplain Manager
- Zoning districts
- FW Floodway, FF Fringe, GF General
- Application requires
- base flood elevation + lowest-floor elevation
- Variance authority
- Board of Adjustment + Iowa DNR concurrence
- First-offense penalty
- up to $750 civil fine
Summary
Any development in a mapped floodway, floodway fringe, or general floodplain district in unincorporated Story County needs a floodplain development permit from the County Floodplain Manager before work starts, per Code of Ordinances § 80.16. The application must include the project's elevation data, the lowest-floor elevation, and, for remodels, the structure's pre-improvement market value under § 80.17.
A floodplain development permit issued by the Floodplain Manager shall be secured prior to any floodplain development as defined in Section 80.02 Definitions. ... Application shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Manager and shall include the following: ... ... 4. Elevation of the one percent annual chance or greater flood. ... ... 6. For structures being improved or rebuilt, the estimated cost of improvements and market value of the structure prior to the improvements.
Full Breakdown
Story County created three flood-hazard zoning districts under Chapter 80 of its Code of Ordinances: the FW Floodway District, the FF Floodway Fringe District, and the GF General Floodplain District, each mapped on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. 17 spells out what the application must contain: a description of the work and the parcel, the intended use, the elevation of the one percent annual chance flood, the elevation of the lowest floor or floodproofing level referenced to NAVD 1988, and, for improvements to an existing structure, both the estimated repair cost and the structure's market value before the work, since that ratio determines whether the project counts as a substantial improvement.
23, and only with the concurrence of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 15, notifying FEMA when development in the Floodway District raises the base flood elevation or moves a floodway boundary, and refers subdivision proposals to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors for consistency review.
Violations & Fines
Building without a floodplain development permit, or building without following the approved plans, is itself declared a chapter violation under Section 80.19. Enforcement runs through Chapter 3 of the county code per Section 80.29: most violations are prosecuted as a county infraction carrying a civil penalty up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for each repeat offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The Floodplain Manager can withhold a certificate of occupancy until an engineer or surveyor certifies compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the need for a floodplain permit?
What has to be in the application?
Can the Floodplain Manager grant a variance?
Who else reviews the permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Story County
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