FLOOD07643

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Physical and Economic Feasibility of Nonstructural Flood Plain Management Measures
• Date: 3/1/1978
• Prepared For: US
• Prepared By: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Economic Feasibility
Damage reduced through the use of zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and
building and housing codes is measured as the difference in damage with and without
implementation of the ordinance, regulation, or code. Since these regulatory means are
directed principally toward future development, the with condition must be estimated based on
a judgement as to how much, what type, and how future development will be affected. This can
only be done by evaluating each individual flood plain and community. In this study no attempt
was made to estimate damage reduced. In general, it is felt that if the necessary basic
engineering data is available or can be obtained at a reasonable cost, and there will not be a
significant loss of tax revenue, then all of these regulatory means will prove economically
feasible.

Advantages and Disadvantages
Table 11-1 summarizes the major advantages and disadvantages of zoning, regulations, and
codes.

TABLE 11-1

ADV ANT AGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF ZONING ORDINANCES, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
AND BUILDING AND HOUSING CODES

Advantages

An effective means of bringing about the
proper use of flood plain lands. Economic,
environmental, and social values can be
integrated with the recognized flood hazard.

Helps to keep flood damage from increasing.
8y addressing non-conforming uses they can
be helpful in achieving the necessary land
use adjustments to mitigate existing flood
problems.

Can be effective over time on existing
improper development, or additions and
modifications to existing property.

Disadvantages

Not effective in reducing flood damage to
existing structures.

Subject to variance or amendment by local
governmental bodies which can reduce
effectiveness considerably.

Tend to treat all flood plain property equally
when in fact various economic factors may
make one type of development more
appropriate for one portion of the flood
plain and another type more appropriate
elsewhere.

References

1. U.S. Water Resources Council, "Regulation of Flood Hazard Areas to Reduce Flood Losses",
Volume 1, Parts I - IV and Volume 2, Parts V - VI, 1971.

2. U.S. Army Engineers, "Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction", Pamphlet prepared by the
Sacramento District, 1976. .

3. U.S. Army Engineers, "A Perspective on Flood Plain Regulations for Flood Plain
Management", Engineering Pamphlet 1165-2-304, 1 June 1976.

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