Required for any development proposed in a FEMA zone A, AE or AV, or any other regulated floodplain. Must be approved prior to submitting applications for new construction permits. Please review Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 13.12 and SMC 20.80 (Subchapter 5) to learn more about the City’s floodplain and flood hazard regulations. 

How to Apply

Apply for this permit online at the City of Shoreline's eTRAKiT permitting portal. Once you are logged into your account, select Apply/New Permit from the left-hand sidebar and select the following permit type from the drop-down menu: Pre-Intake Record.

Once PIN requests are submitted, the rest of the intake process is facilitated by a permit technician. A permit technician will send further instructions by email to complete the process. 

Required Documents

• Permit Application and Critical Area Worksheet
• Submittal Fee
  • Please reference the City's fee schedule for current application fees.
• Certification Letter and Impact Assessment
  • Certification from a registered engineer that the proposed activity in a regulatory floodway will not result in any increase in the height of the “100-year” flood.
  • Impact assessment on those factors that contribute to increased flood hazard and degradation of habitat. If assessment concludes project will cause and adverse effect outside of the protected area, the permit will be denied unless project impacts are mitigated (avoided, rectified, or compensated). An approved permit with a federal nexus that addresses effects to endangered species will be accepted. 
• Floodplain Development Worksheet
• Survey
  • Survey map prepared, stamped and signed by licensed surveyor.
  • Reference datum, control points, NAD 83/91, and NAVD 1988.
• Construction Drawings – scaled drawings showing the proposed work (site, architectural, civil, structural, landscape/tree, and other applicable plans). For this permit type: 
  • Elevation drawings must include the following details:
    • Proposed lowest floor elevation (including basement) and/or top of slab for an attached garage.
    • Proposed elevation of crawl space.
    • Proposed elevation of the lowest horizontal structural member (in V zones only).
    • Proposed elevation of lowest and highest adjacent grades.
    • Construction details indicating the types of water-resistant materials used below the first floor with section cuts identifying where they can be located on the plans.   
    • Details of floodproofing of utilities located below the first floor including lowest elevation of machinery or equipment servicing the structure.   
    • Details of enclosures below the first floor.   
    • Details for anchoring structures.
  • Site Plan
    • There are extra site plan standards for flood development permits. Please include the following on your site plan:
      • Names and location of all lakes, water bodies, waterways, drainage facilities, wetlands and streams and their required buffers, and riparian habitat zones within 300 feet of the site. 
      • Designated fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, and habitat areas identified for conservation or protection under state, federal or local laws or regulations. 
        • For example, the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Growth Management Act, Shorelines Management Act, or Priority Habitat and Species List.
      • The elevations of the 10, 50, 100, and 500-year floods, where the data are available. Elevation datum shall be the North America Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 1988) with conversions provided as needed.
      • Subdivision or other development plans.
        • If the subdivision or other development exceeds 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is the lesser, the applicant must provide “100-year” flood elevations if they are not otherwise available.
      • The boundaries of the regulatory floodplain, SFHA, floodway, riparian habitat zone, and channel migration area, delineated in accordance with SMC 13.12.300.
      • The proposed drainage system including, but not limited to, storm sewers, overland flow paths, detention facilities and roads.
      • Existing native vegetation and proposed revegetation.
  • Civil Engineering Plans
    • Grading plans must include the following details:
      • If the proposed project involves grading, excavation, or filling within the floodplain, the site plan shall include proposed post-development terrain at one-foot contour intervals within the SFHA.
      • Change in water elevation (in feet).
      • Plans showing the extent of watercourse relocation and/or landform alterations.

Additional Documents (Possibly Required)

• Hydraulic Calculations
  • A copy of all data and hydraulic calculations supporting engineering findings and plans, if any were created or needed.
• Supporting Documents
  • Submit copies of all necessary permits required by state and federal law. 

Additional Permits (Possibly Required)

These are additional permits that may be required to accompany your application depending on your scope of work.

• Shoreline Exemption or Shoreline Substantial Development Permit
  • Required if located within 200 feet of the Puget Sound shoreline.