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Flood Map Information for Realtors, Lenders and Insurance Agents

King County has Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) available for reference in making a flood zone determinations for any property within unincorporated King County. Staff from Department of Development and Environmental Searvices (DDES) can assist with the following information by calling 206-296-6606.

  • Whether a property is located within a FEMA mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), or flood prone area identified by King County.
  • Flood insurance rating information such as FIRM zone, panel number, suffix, panel date, index date and regulatory base flood elevation.
  • FEMA elevation certificates if available. King County has elevation certificates for properties within the SFHA.
  • Regulatory provisions that may apply to the property in question.
  • If available, whether the property has ever suffered any flood damage.

Online Floodplain Boundary Maps
iMAP (high speed Internet connection required)
View and print custom online maps using King County data including parcels, floodway and floodplain boundaries.

Flood Insurance and FEMA (Acrobat PDF format)
This bulletin explains the effect of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the permitting process of the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) and answers some common questions about the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP's) impact on development projects.

King County Code >> Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Acrobat PDF format)
County definitions and rules on development standards, restrictions, and requirements as well as permitted uses in King County floodplains and other sensitive areas. Codes pertaining specifically to floodplains can be found under sections 21A.24.230 to 21A.24.275 of this document.

FEMA Flood Hazard Maps (external link)
Information on locating Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), understand how to read them, and requesting a map change.

FEMA Flood Map Store, Online Map Viewer (external link)
Order or view current Flood Insurance Rate Maps online.
(registration required, no charge to view maps)

For questions about the Floodplain Maps, please contact Ken Zweig, River and Floodplain Management Unit.

Related information

Related agencies