Floodplain Use Permit for Sand & Gravel

A Floodplain Use Permit for the extraction of sand and gravel or other materials is required for extraction within floodplains located in unincorporated Maricopa County and communities dependent on the District for floodplain management.

New Permits

Section 403.B.1 of the Floodplain Regulations for Maricopa County (PDF) (Regulations) states:

Applications for a Floodplain Use Permit for the extraction of sand and gravel or other materials shall include the following:

  1. A completed Floodplain Use Permit application form.
  2. A signed and notarized authorization if the applicant wishes to grant an agent, contractor or consultant authority to make decisions on their behalf.
  3. A signed acknowledgement from the property owner that a Floodplain Use Permit is being sought and, if applicable, designation of an operator authorized to mine the property.
  4. Signed Warning and Disclaimer of Liability form.
  5. A plan of development for the extraction of sand and gravel or other materials (see Section 403.B.1.e of the Regulations).
  6. A check for the appropriate fee identified in Appendix A: Fee Schedule.

Permit Amendment


Section 404.B.4 of the Floodplain Regulations states:
Any request for a change to an approved Floodplain Use Permit for the extraction of sand and gravel or other materials including an approved Plan of Development shall require an application to amend the permit.


Permit Renewal


The permittee may submit an application for the renewal of a Floodplain Use Permit for the extraction of sand and gravel or other materials. The application must be submitted prior to the expiration date of the permit with sufficient time to allow for the review and approval of the permit. Failure to submit an application for the renewal of the permit before the expiration date shall cause the permit to expire and operations within the floodplain to cease and require that a permittee obtain a new permit.

Section 403.B.2 of the Regulations states:
An application to renew a Floodplain Use Permit for extraction of sand and gravel or other materials that is pending expiration shall be approved with only an administrative completeness review provided that the development has been done in accordance with permit conditions and the approved Plan of Development, the approved Plan of Development has not been modified, no flood related changes in river morphology have occurred and there is no imminent or apparent danger to structures, life or property. An application will be subject to both an administrative completeness review and substantive review if the above conditions are not met.

Renewal applies to Floodplain Use Permits for extraction of sand and gravel and other materials issued prior to adoption of these Regulations on January 17, 2018.

An application for renewal of a Floodplain Use permit for extraction of sand and gravel or other materials may be by electronic submission or by submission of printed copies and shall include the following:
  1. A completed Floodplain Use Permit application;
  2. A signed Warning and Disclaimer of Liability form;
  3. A letter signed by the permittee(s) or authorized representative(s) of record stating that development of the mine is in compliance with all conditions of the expiring permit and approved Plan of Development or identifying the deficiencies if development of the mine is not in compliance;
  4. A signed and sealed letter from a registered engineer stating that floodplain conditions and river geomorphology are substantially unchanged since the expiring permit was granted, or identifying the substantial changes that have occurred;
  5. Payment of the applicable application fee and annual inspection fee identified in Appendix A of these Regulations.  This permit is for the life of the facility.