Does Yakima County, WA have its own flood zones ordinance?

No. Yakima County, WA does not appear to have a local flood zones ordinance, Washington state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Revised Code of Washington.

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

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

Significant Restrictions

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

FEMA flood zone rules in Yakima 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

Governing statute: RCW 86.16.041
State oversight agency: WA Department of Ecology
Local implementing chapter: YCC Chapter 16C.05.20 et seq.
Repair exception cap: 50% or less of market value
Farmhouse removal deadline: 90 days after new occupancy
Local penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 90 days
FIRM adoption date: FEMA study dated Oct. 21, 2021

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 Yakima 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 Yakima County, WA on the FEMA flood map

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

Summary

Washington state law bars new or rebuilt residential structures inside designated floodways, and Yakima County's own flood hazard ordinance must satisfy that state standard or the Department of Ecology can disapprove it. Narrow repair, farmhouse and substantially-damaged-structure exceptions apply, but the default in a mapped floodway is no build.

City-specific rules exist: Yakima has its own flood zones rules that differ from Yakima County's county-level regulations. If you live in Yakima, check the city-specific page instead.

(1) Beginning July 26, 1987, every county and incorporated city and town shall submit to the department of ecology any new floodplain management ordinance or amendment to any existing floodplain management ordinance. Such ordinance or amendment shall take effect 30 days from filing with the department unless the department disapproves such ordinance or amendment within that time period. (2) The department may disapprove any ordinance or amendment submitted to it under subsection (1) of this section if it finds that an ordinance or amendment does not comply with any of the following: (a) Restriction of land uses within designated floodways including the prohibition of construction or reconstruction, repair, or replacement of residential structures, except for: (i) Repairs, reconstruction, or improvements to a structure which do not increase the ground floor area; and (ii) repairs, reconstruction, or improvements to a structure the cost of which does not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure...

Source: Revised Code of WashingtonView official code

Full Breakdown

041 requires every Washington county, including Yakima County, to file any new floodplain management ordinance or amendment with the state Department of Ecology, which takes effect 30 days after filing unless Ecology disapproves it within that window. Ecology can reject a local ordinance that fails to restrict land uses within designated floodways, including failing to prohibit construction, reconstruction, repair or replacement of residential structures there. Only two narrow repair exceptions survive: work that does not increase the ground floor area, and repairs or improvements costing 50 percent or less of the structure's market value (correcting an identified health or safety code violation does not count toward that 50 percent cap).

170 may be replaced on the same site if there is no buildable spot outside the floodway, the replacement is removed within 90 days of the new farmhouse's occupancy, and the lowest floor sits at least one foot above base flood elevation; and the Department may, at the county's request, recommend repair, replacement or relocation of a substantially damaged non-farmhouse residence after a depth, velocity and erosion analysis. 20, which adopts by reference FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for Yakima County dated October 21, 2021 and its accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map as the special flood hazard areas subject to these floodway restrictions.

Violations & Fines

Yakima County enforces its floodplain ordinance under YCC 16C.04.03: violating the flood hazard provisions is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both, plus all case costs, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense. The county prosecutor's office has an affirmative duty to pursue relief, and continuing violations may also be enjoined or abated civilly as a public nuisance, with the violator liable for the abatement costs and attorney's fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rebuild a flood-damaged house in a Yakima County floodway?

Only if it qualifies for an exception. A repair that does not enlarge the ground floor, or one costing 50 percent or less of the structure's market value, is allowed. Otherwise the state floodway prohibition in RCW 86.16.041 blocks reconstruction unless the farmhouse or substantial-damage waiver process applies.

What is the farmhouse exception in a designated floodway?

An existing farmhouse on land designated as agricultural land of long-term commercial significance can be replaced on the same farm site if no buildable location exists outside the floodway. The old farmhouse must come down within 90 days of the new one's occupancy, and its lowest floor must sit at least one foot above base flood elevation.

Who enforces floodplain violations in unincorporated Yakima County?

The Floodplain Administrator and the Chief Building Official enforce Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72. A violation is a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with the county prosecutor's office required to pursue relief and each day of continuing violation counted separately.

Where does Yakima County's flood hazard map come from?

Yakima County adopts by reference FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for Yakima County, Washington and Incorporated Areas, dated October 21, 2021, along with its Flood Insurance Rate Map, as the official special flood hazard areas under YCC 16C.05.20.010.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yakima County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Coastal DevelopmentSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Propane StorageSome Restrictions

All Yakima County rules

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Yakima, WA