Chapter 15.52
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
Sections:
15.52.010 Statutory authorization.
15.52.020 Findings of fact.
15.52.030 Statement of purpose.
15.52.040 Methods of reducing flood losses.
15.52.050 Definitions.
15.52.060 Lands to which this chapter applies.
15.52.070 Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard.
15.52.080 Compliance.
15.52.090 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
15.52.100 Interpretation.
15.52.110 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
15.52.120 Development permit.
15.52.130 Designation of floodplain administrator.
15.52.140 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
15.52.150 Standards of construction.
15.52.160 Standards for utilities.
15.52.170 Standards for subdivisions.
15.52.180 Standards for manufactured homes.
15.52.190 Floodways.
15.52.200 Appeal board.
15.52.210 Variances.
Editor’s Note: The sections in this chapter have been renumbered from the designations given in Ord. 06-8 starting with Section 15.52.120.
15.52.010 Statutory authorization.
The Legislature of the State of California has, in Government Code Sections 65302, 65560, and 65800, conferred upon local government units authority to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the city council does ordain as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): Ord. 02-5 § 8: prior code § 5B.1)
15.52.020 Findings of fact.
A. The flood hazard areas of the city are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
B. These flood losses are caused by uses that are inadequately elevated, floodproofed or protected from flood damage. The cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities also contributes to flood losses. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.2)
15.52.030 Statement of purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
A. Protect human life and health;
B. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood-control projects;
C. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
D. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
E. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;
F. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future blighted areas caused by flood damage;
G. Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and
H. Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.3)
15.52.040 Methods of reducing flood losses.
In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes regulations to:
A. Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities;
B. Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
C. Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;
D. Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage;
E. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas; and
F. These regulations take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws, ordinances and codes. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.4)
15.52.050 Definitions.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be so interpreted as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
A Zone. See “Special flood hazard area.”
“Accessory structure, low-cost and small” means a structure that is solely for the parking of not more than two cars, or limited storage (small, low-cost sheds).
“Accessory use” means a use which is incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the parcel of land on which it is located.
“Alluvial fan” means a geomorphologic feature characterized by a cone- or fan-shaped deposit of boulders, gravel, and fine sediments that have been eroded from mountain slopes, transported by flood flows, and then deposited on the valley floors, and which is subject to flash flooding, high velocity flows, debris flows, erosion, sediment movement and deposition, and channel migration.
“Apex” means a point on an alluvial fan or similar landform below which the flow path of the major stream that formed the fan becomes unpredictable and alluvial fan flooding can occur.
“Appeal” means a request for a review of the floodplain administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
“Area of shallow flooding” means a designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.
Area of Special Flood Hazard. See “Special flood hazard area.”
“Area of special flood-related erosion hazard” is the land within a community which is most likely to be subject to severe flood-related erosion losses. The area may be designated as Zone E on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
“Base flood” means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also called the “one hundred (100) year flood”). Base flood is the term used throughout this chapter.
“Base flood elevation (BFE)” means the elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Zones AE, AH, A1-A30, VE and V1-V30 that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
“Basement” means any area of the building having its floor subgrade—i.e., below ground level—on all sides.
Building. See “Structure.”
“Crawl space” is an enclosed area below the BFE. Crawl space construction is subject to specific materials requirements and other constraints as described in Section 15.52.150(C)(2).
“Development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials.
“Development permit” means the document issued by the city to confirm approval of the development proposed by the submittals required under Section 15.52.120.
“Encroachment” means the advance or infringement of uses, plant growth, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain.
“Existing manufactured home park or subdivision” means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) was completed before May 27, 1980.
“Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision” means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).
“Flood,” “flooding,” or “flood water” means:
1. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters; the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and/or mudslides (i.e., mudflows); and
2. The condition resulting from flood-related erosion.
“Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM)” means the official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the floodway.
“Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)” means the official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
“Flood Insurance Study” means the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the FIRM, the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
“Floodplain” or “flood-prone area” means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source—see “Flooding.”
“Floodplain administrator” is the community official designated by title to administer and enforce the floodplain management regulations.
“Floodplain management” means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain management regulations, and open space plans.
“Floodplain management regulations” means this and other zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as grading and erosion control) and other applications of police power which control development in flood prone areas. This term describes federal, state or local regulations in any combination thereof which provide standards for preventing and reducing flood loss and damage.
“Floodproofing” means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures, and their contents. For guidelines on dry and wet floodproofing, see FEMA Technical Bulletins TB 1-93, TB 3-93, and TB 7-93.
“Flood-related erosion” means the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical level or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as a flash flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding.
“Flood-related erosion area” or “flood-related erosion-prone area” means a land area adjoining the shore of a lake or other body of water, which due to the composition of the shoreline or bank and high water levels or wind-driven currents, is likely to suffer flood-related erosion damage.
“Flood-related erosion area management” means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood-related erosion damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood-related erosion control works, and floodplain management regulations.
“Floodway” means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. Also referred to as “regulatory floodway.”
“Floodway fringe” is that area of the floodplain on either side of the “regulatory floodway” where encroachment may be permitted.
“Fraud and victimization,” as related to Section 15.52.210, means that the variance granted must not cause fraud on or victimization of the public. In examining this requirement, the city will consider the fact that every newly constructed building adds to government responsibilities and remains a part of the community for fifty (50) to one hundred (100) years. Buildings that are permitted to be constructed below the base flood elevation are subject during all those years to increased risk of damage from floods, while future owners of the property and the community as a whole are subject to all the costs, inconvenience, danger, and suffering that those increased flood damages bring. In addition, future owners may purchase the property, unaware that it is subject to potential flood damage, and can be insured only at very high flood insurance rates.
“Functionally dependent use” means a use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities, and does not include long term storage or related manufacturing facilities.
“Governing body” is the city, empowered to adopt and implement regulations to provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry.
“Hardship” as related to Section 15.52.210 means the exceptional hardship that would result from a failure to grant the requested variance. The city requires that the variance be exceptional, unusual, and peculiar to the property involved. Mere economic or financial hardship alone is not exceptional. Inconvenience, aesthetic considerations, physical handicaps, personal preferences, or the disapproval of one’s neighbors likewise cannot, as a rule, qualify as an exceptional hardship. All of these problems can be resolved through other means without granting a variance, even if the alternative is more expensive, or requires the property owner to build elsewhere or put the parcel to a different use than originally intended.
“Highest adjacent grade” means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
“Historic structure” means any structure that is:
1. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
2. Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
3. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of Interior; or
4. Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
“Levee” means a manmade structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control or divert the flow of water so as to provide protection from temporary flooding.
“Levee system” means a flood protection system which consists of a levee, or levees, and associated structures, such as closure and drainage devices, which are constructed and operated in accord with sound engineering practices.
“Lowest floor” means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement (see “Basement” definition).
1. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure below the lowest floor that is usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor, provided it conforms to applicable non-elevation design requirements, including, but not limited to:
a. The flood openings standard in Section 15.52.150(C)(4);
b. The anchoring standards in Section 15.52.150(A);
c. The construction materials and methods standards in Section 15.52.150(B); and
d. The standards for utilities in Section 15.52.160.
“Manufactured home” means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. For floodplain management purposes, the term “manufactured home” also includes recreational vehicles, park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days.
“Manufactured home park or subdivision” means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for sale or rent.
“Market value” shall be determined by estimating the cost to replace the structure in new condition and adjusting that cost figure by the amount of depreciation which has accrued since the structure was constructed.
1. The cost of replacement of the structure shall be based on a square foot cost factor determined by reference to a building cost estimating guide recognized by the building construction industry.
2. The amount of depreciation shall be determined by taking into account the age and physical deterioration of the structure and functional obsolescence as approved by the floodplain administrator, but shall not include economic or other forms of external obsolescence.
3. Use of replacement costs or accrued depreciation factors different from those contained in recognized building cost estimating guides may be considered only if such factors are included in a report prepared by an independent professional appraiser and supported by a written explanation of the differences.
“Mean sea level (MSL)” means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988, or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced.
“New construction,” for floodplain management purposes, means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after May 27, 1980, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
“New manufactured home park or subdivision” means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after May 27, 1980.
“Obstruction” includes, but is not limited to, any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, vegetation or other material in, along, across or projecting into any watercourse which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the flow of water, or due to its location, its propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water, or its likelihood of being carried downstream.
“One hundred (100) year flood” or “100 year flood”— see “Base flood.”
“Person” means an individual or his or her agent, firm, partnership, association or corporation, or agent of the aforementioned groups, or this state or its agencies or political subdivisions.
“Program deficiency” means a defect in a community’s floodplain management regulations or administrative procedures that impairs effective implementation of those floodplain management regulations.
“Public safety and nuisance,” as related to Section 15.52.210, means that the granting of a variance must not result in anything which is injurious to safety or health of an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, river, bay, stream, canal, or basin.
“Recreational vehicle” means a vehicle which is:
1. Built on a single chassis;
2. Four hundred (400) square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
3. Designed to be self propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
4. Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
“Regulatory floodway” means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.
“Remedy a violation” means to bring the structure or other development into compliance with state or local floodplain management regulations, or, if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance. Ways that impacts may be reduced include protecting the structure or other affected development from flood damages, implementing the enforcement provisions of this chapter or otherwise deterring future similar violations, or reducing state or federal financial exposure with regard to the structure or other development.
“Riverine” means relating to, formed by, or resembling a river (including tributaries), stream, brook, etc.
“Sheet flow area.” See “Area of shallow flooding.”
“Special flood hazard area (SFHA)” means an area in the floodplain subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. It is shown on an FHBM or FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, or AH.
“Start of construction” includes substantial improvement and other proposed new development and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the permit. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
“Structure” means a walled and roofed building that is principally aboveground; this includes a gas or liquid storage tank, or a manufactured home.
“Substantial damage” means:
1. Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred; or
2. Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a ten (10) year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such event, on the average, equals or exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. This is also known as “repetitive loss.”
“Substantial improvement” means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds thirty percent (30%) of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:
1. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
2. Any alteration of a historic structure; provided, that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.
“Variance” means a grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter.
“Violation” means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community’s floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in this chapter is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
“Water surface elevation” means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988, or other datum, of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.
“Watercourse” means a lake, river, creek, stream, wash, arroyo, channel or other topographic feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically. Watercourse includes specifically designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.5)
15.52.060 Lands to which this chapter applies.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the city. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.6)
15.52.070 Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the “Flood Insurance Study (FIS) City of St. Helena, California, Napa County” dated January 7, 1998, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs), dated January 7, 1998, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. This FIS and attendant mapping is the minimum area of applicability of this chapter and may be supplemented by studies for other areas which allow implementation of this chapter and which are recommended to the city by the floodplain administrator. The study, FIRMs and FBFMs are on file at City Hall, 1480 Main Street, St. Helena. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.7)
15.52.080 Compliance.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violation of the requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall prevent the city from taking such lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.8)
15.52.090 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.9)
15.52.100 Interpretation.
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
A. Considered as minimum requirements;
B. Liberally construed in favor of the city; and
C. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.10)
15.52.110 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 manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard 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, the state of California or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.11)
15.52.120 Development permit.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.52.070. Applications for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the city. The applicant shall provide the following minimum information:
A. Plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing:
1. Location, dimensions, and elevation of the area in question, existing or proposed structures, storage of materials and equipment and their location;
2. Proposed locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and other utilities;
3. Grading information showing existing and proposed contours, any proposed fill, and drainage facilities;
4. Location of the regulatory floodway when applicable;
5. Base flood elevation information as specified in Section 15.52.070 or Section 15.52.150(C);
6. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; and
7. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be floodproofed, as required in Section 15.52.150(C)(3) and detailed in FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 3-93.
B. Certification from a registered civil engineer or architect that the nonresidential floodproofed building meets the floodproofing criteria in Section 15.52.150(C)(3).
C. For a crawl space foundation, location and total net area of foundation openings as required in Section 15.52.150(C)(2) and detailed in FEMA Technical Bulletins 1-93 and 7-93.
D. Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development and evidence that any required state or federal permits for such alteration or relocation have been obtained.
E. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 15.52.150. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.13)
15.52.130 Designation of floodplain administrator.
The city engineer is appointed to administer, implement and enforce this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accord with its provisions. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.14)
15.52.140 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Permit Review.
1. Review all development permit applications to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied, including determination of substantial improvement and substantial damage of existing structures;
2. All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;
3. The site is reasonably safe from flooding;
4. The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. This means 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; and
5. All letters of map revision (LOMRs) 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 (CLOMRs). Approved CLOMRs allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the “Start of construction” definition.
B. Development of Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage Procedures.
1. Using FEMA publication FEMA 213, “Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings,” develop detailed procedures for identifying and administering requirements for substantial improvement and substantial damage, to include defining “market value.”
2. Assure procedures are coordinated with other departments/divisions and implemented by community staff.
C. Review Use and Development of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.52.070, 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 Sections 15.52.150 through 15.52.190. Any such information shall be submitted to the city council for adoption. NOTE: A base flood elevation may be obtained using one of two methods from the FEMA publication, FEMA 265, “Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas – A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-year) Flood Elevations” dated July 1995.
D. Notification of Other Agencies.
1. Alteration or relocation of a watercourse.
a. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to the alteration or relocation;
b. Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
c. Assure that the flood-carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of such watercourse is maintained.
2. Base flood elevation changes due to physical alterations:
a. Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator shall submit or assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR).
b. All LOMRs 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 (CLOMRs). Approved CLOMRs allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the “Start of construction” definition.
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.
3. 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.
E. Documentation of Floodplain Development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following:
1. Certification required by Section 15.52.150(C)(1) (lowest floor elevations);
2. Certification required in Section 15.52.150(C)(3) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures);
3. Certification required in Section 15.52.150(C)(4) (wet floodproofing standard);
4. Certification required in Section 15.52.170 (subdivisions and other proposed development standards);
5. The certification required in Section 15.52.190(A) (floodway encroachments); and
6. Maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance, and report such variances issued in its biennial report submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
F. Map Determination. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard, 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 Section 15.52.200.
G. Remedial Action. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in Section 15.52.080.
H. Biennial Report. Complete and submit biennial report to FEMA.
I. Planning. Assure community’s general plan is consistent with floodplain management objectives herein. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.15)
15.52.150 Standards of construction.
In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required:
A. Anchoring.
1. All new construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
B. Construction Materials and Methods.
1. All new construction and substantial improvements to structures, including manufactured homes, shall be constructed:
a. With flood-resistant materials, and utility equipment resistant to flood damage for areas below the base flood elevation;
b. Using methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
c. With electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding; and
d. Within Zone AH or AO, so that there are adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
C. Elevation and Floodproofing.
1. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement:
a. In AE, AH and A1-A30 Zones, elevated to eighteen (18) inches above the base flood elevation.
b. In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
c. Upon completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or land surveyor to be properly elevated. Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.
2. Crawl Space Construction. Below-grade crawl space construction in accordance with the requirements listed below will not be considered basements.
a. The building must be designed and adequately anchored to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy. Crawl space construction is not allowed in areas with flood velocities greater than five feet per second unless the design is reviewed by a qualified design professional, such as a registered architect or professional engineer;
b. The crawl space is an enclosed area below the BFE and, as such, must have openings that equalize hydrostatic pressures by allowing for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. For guidance on flood openings, see FEMA Technical Bulletin 1-93;
c. Crawl space construction is not permitted in V zones. Open pile or column foundations that withstand storm surge and wave forces are required in V zones;
d. Portions of the building below the BFE must be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage. This includes not only the foundation walls of the crawl space used to elevate the building, but also any joists, insulation, or other materials that extend below the BFE; and
e. Any building utility systems within the crawl space must be elevated above BFE or designed so that floodwaters cannot enter or accumulate within the system components during flood conditions.
f. Requirements for all below-grade crawl space construction, in addition to the above requirements, to include the following:
i. The interior grade of a crawl space below the BFE must not be more than two feet below the Lowest Adjacent Exterior Grade (LAG), shown as D in figure 3 of Technical Bulletin 11-01;
ii. The height of the below-grade crawl space, measured from the interior grade of the crawl space to the top of the crawl space foundation wall must not exceed four feet (shown as L in figure 3 of Technical Bulletin 11-01) at any point;
iii. There must be an adequate drainage system that removes floodwaters from the interior area of the crawl space within a reasonable period of time after a flood event, not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours; and
iv. The velocity of floodwaters at the site should not exceed five feet per second for any crawl space. For velocities in excess of five feet per second, other foundation types should be used.
3. For any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure, the entire structure shall either be elevated in conformance with subsection (C)(1) of this section or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities:
a. Be floodproofed so that below the level required under subsection (C)(1) of this section the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
c. Be certified by a registered civil engineer that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.
4. Require, for all new construction and substantial improvements, that fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered civil engineer or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
a. Either a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters; or
b. Be certified to comply with a local floodproofing standard approved by the Federal Insurance Administration.
5. Manufactured homes shall also meet the standards in Section 15.52.180.
D. Non-conversion of Enclosed Areas Below the Lowest Floor. To ensure that the areas below the BFE shall be used solely for parking vehicles, limited storage, or access to the building and not be finished for use as human habitation without first becoming fully compliant with the floodplain management ordinance in effect at the time of conversion, the floodplain administrator shall:
1. Determine which applicants for new construction and/or substantial improvements have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are five feet or higher;
2. Require that such applicants enter into a “NON-CONVERSION AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION WITHIN FLOOD HAZARD AREAS” or equivalent with the city. The agreement shall be recorded by the floodplain administrator with the Napa County Recorder as a deed restriction. The non-conversion agreement shall be in a form acceptable to the floodplain administrator and city attorney; and
3. Have the authority to inspect any area of a structure below the base flood elevation to ensure compliance upon prior notice of at least seventy-two (72) hours.
E. The floodplain administrator shall require permits for proposed construction and other development within all flood-related erosion-prone areas known to the community.
1. Permit applications shall be reviewed to determine whether the proposed site alterations and improvements will be reasonably safe from flood-related erosion, and will not cause flood-related erosion hazards or otherwise aggravate the existing hazard.
2. If a proposed improvement is found to be in the path of flood-related erosion or would increase the erosion hazard, such improvement shall be relocated or adequate protective measures shall be taken to avoid aggravating the existing erosion hazard.
3. Within Zone E on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a setback is required for all new development from the ocean, lake, bay, riverfront or other body of water to create a safety buffer consisting of a natural vegetative or contour strip. This buffer shall be designated according to the flood-related erosion hazard and erosion rate, in relation to the anticipated useful life of structures, and depending upon the geologic, hydrologic, topographic, and climatic characteristics of the land. The buffer may be used for suitable open space purposes, such as for agricultural, forestry, outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat areas, and for other activities using temporary and portable structures only. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.16)
15.52.160 Standards for utilities.
A. All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharge from systems into flood waters.
B. On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.17)
15.52.170 Standards for subdivisions.
A. All preliminary subdivision proposals shall identify the flood hazard area and the elevation of the base flood.
B. All final subdivision plans will provide the elevation of proposed structure(s) and pads. If the site is filled above the base flood, the final pad elevation shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or land surveyor and provided to the floodplain administrator.
C. All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
D. All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
E. All subdivisions shall provide adequate drainage to reduce exposure to flood hazards. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.18)
15.52.180 Standards for manufactured homes.
All new and replacement manufactured homes and additions to manufactured homes shall:
A. Be elevated on a permanent foundation so that the lowest floor is at least eighteen (18) inches above the base flood elevation; and
B. Be securely anchored to a permanent foundation system designed to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement and approved by the building official.
C. All recreational vehicles placed in Zones A1-A30, AH, and AE will either:
1. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days; or
2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions; or
3. Meet the permit requirements of Section 15.52.120 and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in this section. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 07-2 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.19)
15.52.190 Floodways.
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 15.52.070 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:
A. Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
B. If subsection A of this section is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all other applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Sections 15.52.140 through 15.52.180. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part))
15.52.200 Appeal board.
A. The planning commission, and on appeal, the city council shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
B. The city council shall hear and decide requests for variance in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
1. In passing upon requests for variances, the city council shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter, and the:
a. Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
b. Danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
c. Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the existing individual owner and future owners of the property;
d. Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
e. Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
f. Availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage;
g. Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
h. Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;
i. Safety of access to the property in time of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
j. Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters expected at the site; and
k. Costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water system, and streets and bridges.
2. Variances shall only be issued upon a:
a. Showing of good and sufficient cause;
b. Determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and
c. Determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense, create a nuisance (see “public safety and nuisance”*), cause “fraud and victimization”* of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
3. Variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvement, and other proposed new development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use; provided, that the provisions of subsections (B)(1) through (B)(2) of this section are satisfied and that the structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and do not result in additional threats to public safety and do not create a public nuisance.
4. Upon consideration of the factors of subsection B of this section and the purposes of this chapter, the city council may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.21)
* Editor’s Note: See Section 15.52.050 for definition of this term.
15.52.210 Variances.
A. The issuance of a variance is for floodplain management purposes only. Insurance premium rates are determined by statute according to actuarial risk and will not be modified by the granting of a variance.
B. The variance criteria set forth in this section are based on the general principle of zoning law that variances pertain to a piece of property and are not personal in nature. A variance may be granted for a parcel of property with physical characteristics so unusual that complying with the requirements of this chapter would create an exceptional hardship to the applicant or the surrounding property owners. The characteristics must be unique to the property and not be shared by adjacent parcels. The unique characteristic must pertain to the land itself, not to the structure, its inhabitants, or the property owners.
C. It is the duty of the city to help protect its citizens from flooding. This need is so compelling and the implications of the cost of insuring a structure built below flood level are so serious that variances from the flood elevation or from other requirements in this chapter are quite rare. The long-term goal of preventing and reducing flood loss and damage can only be met if variances are strictly limited. Therefore, the variance guidelines provided in this section are more detailed and contain multiple provisions that must be met before a variance can be properly granted. The criteria are designed to screen out those situations in which alternatives other than a variance are more appropriate.
D. Generally, variances may be issued for new construction, substantial improvement, and other proposed new development to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood elevation, providing that the procedures of Sections 15.52.150 through 15.52.190 have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
E. Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures (as defined in Section 15.52.050) upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as an historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
F. Variances shall not be issued within any mapped regulatory floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
G. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. “Minimum necessary” means to afford relief with a minimum of deviation from the requirements of this chapter. For example, in the case of variances to an elevation requirement, this means the city need not grant permission for the applicant to build at grade, or even to whatever elevation the applicant proposes, but only to that elevation which the city believes will both provide relief and preserve the integrity of the local ordinance.
H. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice over the signature of a city official that:
1. The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for one hundred dollars ($100.00) of insurance coverage; and
2. Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. A copy of the notice shall be recorded by the floodplain administrator in the office of the Napa County recorder and shall be recorded in a manner so that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of land.
I. The floodplain administrator will maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance, and report such variances issued in its biennial report submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Ord. 10-7 § 2 (part): Ord. 06-8 § 3 (part): prior code § 5B.22)