The draft ordinance was read for the first time in County Commission Wednesday.

The provisions of the ordinance intend to minimize flood damage caused by construction and protect water and sewage supplies through the application process.

"If you're going to put a new bathroom in your house or you're going to put on a new carport, or a new garage, you're going to have to get a building permit," commission president Asel Kennedy said after the meeting. "And the reason for getting that is for us to show that that improvement is not being done in a floodplain."

The permitting process could happen over the phone, if the land is not in a floodplain. If it is, the ordinance then lays out the specific state and federal codes that apply.

If the floodplain administrator needs to visit the site, the property owner will pay a fee between $50 and $100. Anyone not in compliance would pay a fine of $50 to $500 a day, and turning in a property that does not meet compliance will receive a $50 reward.

The ordinance helps the county comply with regulations from the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Kennedy says FEMA requires floodplain information for insurance purposes, and Mon. Co. hasn't been able to supply the data.

The commission will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Nov. 25 and make any changes necessary after public comment.

The commission plans to pass a final version of the ordinance in January.