The intent of this chapter is to:
A. 
Protect areas of the floodplain necessary to contain floodwaters.
B. 
Permit only those uses in the floodplain that are compatible with preserving natural conditions and stream flow.
C. 
Promote the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.
D. 
Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future.
E. 
Minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in areas prone to flooding.
F. 
Minimize danger to public health by protecting water supply and natural drainage.
G. 
Reduce financial burdens imposed on the community, its governmental units, and its residents, by preventing excessive development in areas subject to flooding.
H. 
Comply with federal and state floodplain management requirements.
A. 
This chapter shall apply to lands within the jurisdiction of the City shown on the Flood Hazard (FH) Overlay District Map, which shall be considered to be an overlay of the Zoning Map. The Flood Hazard District shall be overlaid on and above the existing zoning districts of the City of Easton's Official Zoning Map. The provisions of the underlying districts shall take precedence regarding land use, shall remain in full force, and shall be made to be in compliance whenever there is new construction or improvements proposed within the identified floodplain areas of the City.
B. 
The Flood Hazard (FH) Overlay District is defined and established as a district applicable to those areas of the City of Easton subject to inundation by the waters of the one-percent-annual-chance flood as delineated on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Northampton County, Pennsylvania, as prepared by FEMA, dated July 16, 2014, or the most recent revisions thereto.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the City's identified floodplain areas unless a permit has first been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator.
D. 
A permit shall not be required for minor repairs to existing buildings or structures.
This chapter supersedes any other conflicting provisions which may be in effect in identified floodplain areas. However, any other ordinance provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive. If there is any conflict between any of the provisions of this chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.
A. 
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on accepted engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside any identified floodplain areas, or that land uses permitted within such areas, will be free from flooding or flood damages.
B. 
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City of Easton or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.