The purpose of the tsunami hazard overlay zone is to increase the resilience of the community to a local source Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) tsunami by establishing standards, requirements, incentives, and other measures to be applied in the review and authorization of land use and development activities in areas subject to tsunami hazards. The standards established by this chapter intend to limit, direct, and encourage the development of land uses within areas subject to tsunami hazards in a manner that will: reduce loss of life; reduce damage to private and public property; reduce social, emotional, and economic disruptions; and increase the ability of the community to respond and recover.

There is significant public and private investment in development in areas that are now known to be subject to tsunami hazards. It is not the intent or purpose of this chapter to require the relocation of or otherwise regulate existing development within the tsunami hazard overlay zone. However, it is the intent of this chapter to control, direct, and encourage new development and redevelopment such that, over time, the community’s exposure to tsunami risk is reduced. (Ord. 2028 § 2, 2019)