(A) Establishment of development permits. A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard. Applications for development permits shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, and drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information shall be required:
(1) The proposed elevation, in relation to the mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including the basement) of all structures; in Zone AO, the elevation of the highest adjacent grade and proposed elevation of the lowest floor of all structures;
(2) The proposed elevation in relation to the mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed;
(3) All appropriate certifications listed in subdivision (4) of division (C) of this section;
(4) A description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development; and
(5) Additional information as required by the Floodplain Administrator.
(B) Designation of the Floodplain Admini-strator. The City Engineer is hereby appointed to administer and implement this article by granting or denying development permits in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(C) Duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator. The duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Review development permits as follows:
(a) Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this article have been satisfied;
(b) All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;
(c) The site is reasonably safe from flooding; and
(d) The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined that a floodway has not been designated. For the purposes of this article, ADVERSELY AFFECTS shall mean that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city;
(e) All Letters of Map Revision (LOMR's) for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of building permits. Building permits must not be issued based on Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR's). Approved CLOMR's allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the "start of construction" definition;
(2) When base flood elevation data has not been provided, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state, or other source in order to administer §§ 9-4.2007 through 9-4.2011 of this article. Any such information shall be submitted to the Council for adoption;
(3) Alteration or relocation of a watercourse:
(a) Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to such alteration or relocation;
(b) Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
(c) Assure that the flood-carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of such watercourse is maintained;
(4) Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed:
(a) The certification required by subdivision (B)(3)(a) of § 9-4.2007 of this article (floor elevations);
(b) The certification required by subdivision (B)(3)(b) of § 9-4.2007 of this article (elevations in areas of shallow flooding);
(c) The certification required by subdivision (B)(3)(c) of § 9-4.2007 of this article (elevation or flood proofing of nonresidential structures);
(d) The certification required by subdivision (B)(3)(d)1. or (B)(3)(d)2. of § 9-4.2007 of this article (wet flood proofing standards);
(e) The certified elevation required by division (B) of § 9-4.2010 of this article (subdivision standards); and
(f) The certification required by division (B) of § 9-4.2006 of this article (floodway encroachments);
(5) Make interpretations, where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in § 9-4.2012 of this article;
(6) Take action to remedy violations of this article;
(7) Base flood elevation changes due to physical alterations:
(a) Within six months information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the Floodplain Administrator shall or assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR);
(b) All LOMR's for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of building permits must not be issued based on Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMR's). Approved CLOMR's allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the "start of construction" definition; and
(c) Such submissions are necessary so that upon confirmation of those physical changes affecting flooding conditions, risk premium rates and floodplain management requirements are based on current data; and
(8) Changes in corporate boundaries. Notify FEMA in writing whenever the corporate boundaries have been modified by annexation or other means and include a copy of a map of the community clearly delineating the new corporate limits.
('66 Code, § 9-4.2005) (Ord. 708-C-S, passed 5-12-88; Am. Ord. 2025-C-S, passed 5-12-09)