Amador County Municipal Code Art. IV Administration

A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 15.16.070. 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, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:

A. Site plan, including but not limited to:

1. For all proposed structures, spot ground elevations at building corners and twenty-foot or smaller intervals along the foundation footprint, or one-foot contour elevations throughout the building site; and locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and utilities; and

2. Proposed locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and utilities; and

3. If available, the base flood elevation from the flood insurance study and/or flood insurance rate map; and

4. If applicable, the location of the regulatory floodway; and

B. Foundation design detail, including but not limited to:

1. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; and

2. For a crawl-space foundation, location and total net area of foundation openings as required in Section 15.16.160(0)(3) of this chapter and FEMA Technical Bulletins 1-93 and 7-93; and

3. For foundations placed on fill, the location and height of fill, and compaction requirements (compacted to ninety-five percent using the Standard Proctor Test method); and

C. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be floodproofed, as required in Section 15.16.160(0)(2) of this chapter and FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 3-93; and

D. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 15.16.150D of this chapter; and

E. Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

(Ord. 1503(part), 2000)

The Amador County planning director is appointed to administer, implement and enforce this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions.

(Ord. 1503(part), 2000)

The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include but not be limited to:

A. Permit Review.

1. Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;

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. For purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" 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.

B. Review, Use and Development of Other Base Flood Data.

1. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.16.070, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other source, in order to administer Article V of this chapter. Any such information shall be submitted to the floodplain administrator for adoption; or

2. If no base flood elevation data is available from a federal or state agency or other source, then a base flood elevation shall be obtained using one of two methods from the FEMA publication "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas-A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-year) Flood Elevations" dated July 1995 in order to administer Article V of this chapter:

a. Simplified Method.

i. One hundred year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the appropriate regression equation found in a U.S. Geological Survey publication, or the discharge-drainage area method; and

ii. base flood elevation shall be obtained using the Quik-2 computer program developed by FEMA; or

b. Detailed Method.

i. One hundred year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-HMS computer program; and

ii. Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-HMS computer program.

C. Notification of Other Agencies. In alteration or relocation of a watercourse:

1. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to such alteration or relocation of a watercourse;

2. Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

3. Assure that the flood-carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.

D. Documentation of Floodplain Development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed:

1. The certification required in Sections 15.16.160(0)(1) and 15.16.190 (lowest floor elevations);

2. The certification required in Section 15.16.160(C)(2)(c) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures);

3. The certification required in Section 15.16.160(0)(3) (wet floodproofing standard);

4. The certified elevation required in Section 15.16.180B (subdivision standards);

5. The certification required in Section 15.16.200A (floodway encroachments); and

6. The reports required in Section 15.16.210C (mudflow standards).

E. Map Determinations. 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, grade and base flood elevations shall be used to determine the boundaries of the special flood hazard area. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Article VI of this chapter.

F. Remedial Action. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in Section 15.16.080 of this chapter.

(Ord. 1503(part), 2000)

The board of supervisors of Amador County 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.

(Ord. 1503(part), 2000)