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Floodplain Use Permit
The Flood Control District cares about the health of our customers, employees, and the community.
To that end, we are taking steps to reduce foot traffic in county buildings and request customers to conduct their business electronically.
The following options are available for customers to submit permit applications:
Where are you located?
Please see the tabs below to find how to obtain the permit that best fits the location of your project.
- Building in Unincorporated County
- In Unincorporated County - No Building Permit Needed
- Inside a City / Town Managed by FCD
- Independent City or Town
One Stop Shop
The One Stop Shop was created as a way to streamline Maricopa County Planning & Development Department customer service by offering representatives from a variety of County department services in one location. Our main office includes representatives from Air Quality, Environmental Services and Flood Control.
What are the steps?
Submit a complete and accurate application to the One Stop Shop at Planning and Development for a Building Permit Opens a New Window. and pay the appropriate building permit fee. If the property is in a floodplain, a Floodplain Use Permit will be prepared as part of the building permit process. Review Comments for your Floodplain Use Permit will be sent to you as part of the combined packet from P&D. You will be notified when it is ready for issuance.
If an owner wishes to grant an agent, contractor or consultant authority to make decisions on their behalf, they can submit a notarized Property Owner Authorization Opens a New Window. form at this time as well
Provide additional information or revisions if requested.
You will be contacted when the Floodplain Use Permit is ready for issuance. The following must be completed:
- If an owner wishes to grant an agent, contractor or consultant authority to make decisions on their behalf and has not already submitted a notarized Property Owner Authorization Opens a New Window. form, the form must be submitted at this time.
- Review the Floodplain Use Permit and Floodplain Use Permit Conditions and Warning and Disclaimer of Liability with staff.
- Submit the required fee Opens a New Window. .
- Sign the Floodplain Use Permit, Applicant’s Responsibilities, and Warning and Disclaimer of Liability.
Permit issued.
Revisions or modifications
Revisions or modifications to the application for the building permit will be reviewed by the District and the applicant notified if the Floodplain Use Permit or Floodplain Clearance Review must be amended or a new application initiated.
Exemptions
Certain uses or agencies may be exempt from building and zoning regulations, but if there is floodplain on a property a Floodplain Use Permit is required for any development.
Applicants submit a complete and accurate Floodplain Use Permit application to the Flood Control District of Maricopa County
What are the steps?
Check to see if your property is in a regulated floodplain. You may also call 602-506-2419 and speak with a Floodplain Representative.
Submit to the District a Floodplain Use Permit application, payment (as applicable) and one (1) copy of other required documents (site plan, grading and drainage plan, details, etc.). You may submit these required materials in hard copy or via email in a PDF format. Please note the size limit is 10MB per email.
If an owner wishes to grant an agent, contractor or consultant authority to make decisions on their behalf, the owner must submit a notarized Property Owner Authorization form.
District staff will contact you to provide additional information or revisions if requested. Three (3) paper copies of the application and required documents are required for permit issuance. District staff will notify applicants if needed paper copies will be generated by the District or, for larger submittals, if they are required to be provided by the applicant.
Once contacted that your Permit is ready for issuance, you must then complete the following:
- Review and sign the "Floodplain Use Permit and Applicant's Responsibilities" with District Floodplain Management & Services staff. This review can be completed in person; for less complex permits, the District may consider a review over the phone.
- Review the Floodplain Use Permit and Floodplain Use Permit Conditions and Warning and Disclaimer of Liability with staff.
- Submit additional fees if required
.Permit issued.
Revisions or modifications
Revisions or modifications to the application for the building permit will be reviewed by the District and the applicant notified if the Floodplain Use Permit or Floodplain Clearance Review must be amended or a new application initiated.
Permits for cities
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County manages floodplains for several incorporated communities in the County.
What are the steps?
When you are submitting an application for a building permit at your city or town they will check to see if you are in the floodplain. The District manages floodplains for:
- Buckeye
- Carefree
- Cave Creek
- Chandler
- El Mirage
- Gila Bend
- Guadalupe
- Litchfield Park
- Mesa
- Queen Creek
- Surprise
- Tolleson
- Wickenburg
- Youngtown
If the property is in a floodplain, the city/town will give you a "Floodplain Use Permit required" card or the city form (which may also be your building permit application) to submit to the District with a Floodplain Use Permit application.
Submit to the District the document listed in number 2 above, along with your Floodplain Use Permit application, payment (as applicable) and one (1) copy of other required documents (site plan, grading and drainage plan, details, etc.). You may submit these required materials in hard copy or via email in a PDF format. Please note the size limit is 10MB per email.
If an owner wishes to grant an agent, contractor or consultant authority to make decisions on their behalf, the owner must submit a notarized Property Owner Authorization form.
District staff will contact you if additional information or revisions are needed. One (1) copy of the requested documents and/or revisions shall be submitted to the District as noted above. Once the permit is ready for issuance, the permit and documents will be prepared and stamped by the District. The District keeps a copy, the applicant receives one, and a copy is emailed to the community contacts.
You will be contacted when the Floodplain Use Permit is ready for issuance. The following must be completed:
- Review and sign the Floodplain Use Permit, Applicant's Responsibilities, and Warning and Disclaimer of Liability with District permitting staff. This review can be completed in person; for less complex permits, the District may consider a review over the phone.
- Submit additional fees if required.
Permit issued.
Proceed with your municipality's application. Note: Inspections are done by the local jurisdictions
Please note:
- Some communities will not accept a permit application until you have obtained a Floodplain Use Permit from the District and the city/town.
- Permit conditions for Elevation Certificates require follow-up with the District.
- Revisions to the application for the permit require District review, and the applicant will be notified if the Floodplain Use Permit may be amended or if a new application is required.
- Payment of fees can be made by credit card by calling (602) 506-1501.
If you would like to meet with staff for a pre-application meeting to discuss your project, please call the District at 602-506-2419.
Independent City or Town
If your property is located in one of the following cities or towns, you will need to contact them regarding floodplain questions, as they have their own processes for obtaining a permit: