Residents With Flood Damage Reminded of Permit Requirements
Published on June 25, 2024
As property owners in Sioux Falls begin clean-up and repairs following recent flash flooding, Planning and Development Services is reminding residents to obtain building permits before repairing or rebuilding.
Buildings with damage that require only the removal of drywall up to 2 feet above the floor do not require a building permit. Any repair/damage beyond drywall removal, including replacement of electrical outlets less than 2 feet above the floor or other similar repairs, requires a building permit.
A floodplain development permit must also be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area, including repairing or reconstructing structures damaged by flooding, even if a building permit is not required.
If you are unsure if you live in a floodplain, you can check the floodplain boundaries online.
Special conditions apply to buildings in the floodplain where the total cost of repairs is 45 percent or more of the structure’s pre-flood market value. If a building is found to be damaged 45 percent or more, regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain ordinance is demonstrated. In some cases, elevating or flood-proofing the structure may be required to reduce the potential for future flood damage.
Repair costs for floodplain permits must be calculated by assuming the building will be fully repaired to its pre-damaged condition, even if the owner decides to do less. The total cost calculation must include structural materials, finish materials, and labor, even if the owner chooses to do their own repairs. The City of Sioux Falls also tracks cumulative damages for structures in the floodplain over a 3-year period.
State and federal assistance may be available to property owners within the floodplain to reduce the chances of future flood damage. Mitigation assistance may cover relocation costs or the cost of elevating or purchasing flood-damaged structures. Residents with a flood insurance policy may also be eligible to obtain up to $30,000 to protect a structure from future flood damage.
Property owners and residents with flood-damaged buildings should contact Planning and Development Services at 605-367-8670 or floodplain@siouxfalls.gov for more information on repair and reconstruction permits.