Alameda County Municipal Code Art. I Administration

The regulations provided in this chapter, in combination with the flood provisions of the Building Standards Code, as adopted and amended in Title 15 of the General Ordinance Code of the County of Alameda (hereinafter "building codes," consisting of the Building Code, Residential Code, Existing Building Code, and related codes) and including Appendix G of the Building Code (hereinafter "Appendix G"), shall be known as the Floodplain Management Regulations of the County of Alameda (hereinafter, "these regulations").

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The purposes of these regulations and the flood load and flood resistant construction requirements of the building codes are to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific flood hazard areas through the establishment of comprehensive regulations for management of flood hazard areas, designed to:

A. Prevent unnecessary disruption of commerce, access, and public service during times of flooding;

B. Manage the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and shorelines;

C. Manage other development that may increase flood damage or erosion potential;

D. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will divert floodwaters or that can increase flood hazards; and

E. Contribute to improved construction techniques in the floodplain.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The objectives of these regulations are to protect human life, minimize the expenditure of public money for flood control projects, minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding, minimize prolonged business interruption, minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood-prone areas, contribute to improved construction techniques in the floodplain and ensure that potential owners and occupants are notified that property is within flood hazard areas.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The provisions of these regulations, in combination with the flood provisions of the building codes shall apply to all proposed development in flood hazard areas established in Article II of these regulations.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The County of Alameda does hereby acknowledge that the building codes contain certain provisions that apply to the design and construction of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas. Therefore, these regulations are intended to be administered and enforced in conjunction with the building codes.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The degree of flood protection required by these regulations and the building codes is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. Enforcement of these regulations and the building codes does not imply that land outside the special flood hazard areas, or that uses permitted within such flood hazard areas, will be free from flooding or flood damage.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

The provisions of these regulations shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, state, or federal law.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

Any violation of a provision of these regulations, or failure to comply with a permit or variance issued pursuant to these regulations or any requirement of these regulations, shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of Appendix G, as adopted in Chapter 15.08 of the General Ordinance Code of the County of Alameda.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)

These regulations supersede any other provisions of this code in flood hazard areas. However, these regulations are not intended to repeal or abrogate any other existing ordinances, including land development regulations, subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances, stormwater management regulations, or building codes. In the event of a conflict between these regulations and any other ordinance, code, or regulation, the more restrictive shall govern.

(Ord. No. 2018-53, § 2, 10-2-18)