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1. What is a floodplain?

A floodplain is the part of the land where water collects, pools, and flows during stormwater runoff events. Such areas are classified as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and are located in a 100-year flood zone.

The term “100-year flood” can be misleading. It is not the flood event which occurs only once in a 100-year time span. Rather, it is a flood discharge that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. The 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time

The 100-year flood zone is used by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as the standard for floodplain management to determine flood risk. For example, a structure located in a 100-year floodplain has a 26% chance of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30-year mortgage.

2. Is my property in a floodplain?

A Floodplain Status Report will provide this information.  An online request form is available.

3. What do the terms Base Flood Elevation & Regulatory Flood Elevation mean?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirement for building structures in flood hazard areas is that the floor of the lowest habitable enclosure must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The BFE is based on the floodplain delineation for the 100-year peak runoff event.

In order to minimize potential damage to residential structures in flood hazard areas, the  Coconino County Floodplain Regulations Ordinance requires an additional foot of freeboard above the BFE, which is referred as the Regulatory Flood Elevation (RFE).

4. What is an Elevation Certificate (EC)?

An  Elevation Certificate is an important tool that documents your building’s elevation. 

5. How do I get an Elevation Certificate (EC) for my building?

There are several ways to obtain an Elevation Certificate (EC):

• Contact the  Coconino County Engineering Division (928-679-8850). A copy of the EC might be on file.
• Ask the sellers. When buying a property, ask the sellers to give you their EC. If they don’t have an EC, ask if they can provide one before settlement.
• Ask the developer or builder. In a high-risk area, the developer or builder might have been required to get an EC at the time of construction.
• Check the property deed. ECs sometimes are included with the property deed.
• Hire a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or certified architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. For a fee, these professionals can complete an EC for you. To find a professional surveyor:
  • Check with the  Arizona Board of Technical Registration, or
  • Use an online search engine, or
  • Contact the State NFIP coordinator Brian Cosson.

6. I would like to install a driveway and/or culvert to access my property. Do I need an encroachment permit?

It depends . . .

• If your driveway will connect to a county-maintained road, then yes you will need an Encroachment Permit. (The county will not require encroachment permits to access private roads.)
• If your driveway accesses a state road, you will need an ADOT Encroachment Permit.

7. Utility locating and marking is required by law. How do I request it?

Before you dig, contact Arizona Blue Stake 811 or 1 (800) 782-5348, or online at Arizona Blue Stake. Notification is required 48 hours before any digging begins.