A. Lands to Which this Chapter Applies. This chapter shall apply to all special flood hazard areas within the jurisdiction of the city.
B. Adoption of FEMA Study and Maps. The flood insurance study (FIS) for the city of Sacramento dated March 1978, and the flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and flood hazard boundary maps (FHBMs) dated February 4, 1988, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions thereto, are adopted by this reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The FIS, FIRMs, and FHBMs are on file with the city utilities department floodplain management section, and the city planning and development permit assistance center.
C. Compliance. No structure shall be constructed, located, extended, converted, or substantially improved, nor shall land be graded for development, without full compliance with all applicable terms of the floodplain management regulations and all other applicable provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, all applicable requirements for grading approval and/or building permits, as well as any other laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, all applicable provisions of the California Building Code, as amended. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and other provisions of this code or any law or regulation, the more restrictive provision shall govern.
D. Local Administrator. The local administrator shall administer and implement this chapter by exercising all authorities provided in this chapter and other applicable floodplain management regulations.
E. No Abrogation. This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.
F. Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
1. Considered as minimum requirements;
2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
3. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under any other law or regulation.
G. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the special flood hazard areas and areas of flood-related erosion hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the city, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
H. Severability. This chapter and the various parts thereof are declared to be severable. Should any section of this chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, or any portion thereof other than the section so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid. (Ord. 2011-046 § 2; prior code § 9.26.1003)