Chapter 15.49
ADMINISTRATION
Sections:
15.49.010 Establishment of development permit.
15.49.020 Designation of the floodplain administrator.
15.49.030 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
15.49.010 Establishment of development permit.
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in BMC 15.47.070. Application for a development permit 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 is required:
A. Proposed elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; in Zone AO or VO, elevation of highest adjacent grade and proposed elevation of lowest floor of all structures;
B. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed;
C. All appropriate certifications listed in BMC 15.49.030(D); and
D. Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of the proposed development. (Ord. 22-12 § 1).
15.49.012 Fees established.
Fees for complying with this chapter will be set by city council resolution. (Ord. 22-12 § 1).
15.49.020 Designation of the floodplain administrator.
The building official or their designee is hereby designated as the floodplain administrator and is appointed to administer and implement this division by granting and denying development permits in accordance with its provisions. (Ord. 22-12 § 1).
15.49.030 Duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator.
The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
A. Review of all development permits to determine:
1. That the permit requirements of this division have been satisfied;
2. That all other required state and federal permits have been obtained;
3. That the site is reasonably safe from flooding; and
4. That the proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of the floodway. For purposes of this division, “adversely affects” means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and reasonably probable future development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point;
B. Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with BMC 15.47.070, 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 Chapter 15.47 BMC. Any such information shall be submitted to the city council for adoption;
C. Notification of Other Agencies.
1. Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated:
a. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to 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 said watercourse is maintained.
2. Base flood elevation changes due to physical alterations:
a. 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. 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.
b. Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator shall assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a LOMR.
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;
D. Obtaining and maintaining for public inspection the following information, as needed:
1. The certification required in BMC 15.51.010(C)(1);
2. The certification required in BMC 15.51.010(C)(2);
3. The certification required in BMC 15.51.010(C)(3);
4. The certification required in BMC 15.51.010(C)(4)(a) or (b);
5. The certified elevation required in BMC 15.51.030(B);
6. The certification required in BMC 15.51.050(A) and
7. The information required in BMC 15.51.060(F);
E. 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); and
F. Taking action to remedy violations of this division as specified in BMC 15.47.080. (Ord. 22-12 § 1).