County: Permits needed before repairing flood-damaged structures

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 4, 2023

As property owners in Kitsap County contemplate repairs following recent flooding, the Department of Community Development is reminding residents to obtain local permits before repairing or rebuilding flood-damaged structures.

Permits are required as part of local government participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, providing eligibility for flood insurance, flood disaster assistance, state and federal grants and loans, and buyout funds for flood-prone property, a county news release states.

Special conditions apply to substantially damaged buildings – those in which the total cost of repairs is 50% or more of the structure’s pre-flood market value. Regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain law is demonstrated. In some cases, that may require repairs that include elevating or flood-proofing the structure to reduce the potential for future damage.

If labor and materials have been donated, they must still be assigned a value. If local building codes require the structure to be repaired according to certain standards, those costs must be included in the full repair cost for the structure.

If you have experienced flood damage reach out for an assessment go to www.kcowa.us/KCCoastal

You can also stop by the Disaster Relief Center at the Greater Hansville Community Center, 6778 Buck Lake Road NE. It is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 14.

Property owners and residents with flood-damaged buildings should contact Kitsap County DCD for details.