Chico Municipal Code Ch. 16.36 Floodplain Regulations - Floodplain Maps, Records and Reports

The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the flood insurance map study for the City of Chico and accompanying flood insurance rate maps and flood boundary and floodway maps dated January 6, 2011, and all subsequent amendments and revisions shall be deemed to be incorporated herein.

The building official shall maintain on file in the office of the building official one or more current copies of the flood insurance map study, flood insurance rate map and such other approved floodplain maps and reports as may be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Federal Insurance Administration delineating both the areas of special flood hazards and risk premium zones within the city which shall be made available to members of the general public for inspection, review and copying.

(Ord. 2131 §6, Ord. 2370 §14, Ord. 2616 § 10)

The building official shall determine the exact location of floodplain boundaries and elevations from the Flood Insurance Rate Map and other approved floodplain maps and reports provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Insurance Administration and on file in the office of the building division. However, where the exact location of floodplain boundaries or elevations cannot be determined from such map, for example, where there appears to be a conflict between the map and actual field conditions, the building official shall make such determinations from the best available evidence.

(Ord. 2131 §6)

In the absence of a Flood Insurance Rate Map or other approved floodplain map or report provided or approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration, the building official shall determine the exact location of floodplain boundaries and elevations from any base flood elevation and floodway data available from any other federal agency, state agency or reliable source.

(Ord. 2131 §6)

The building official shall maintain on file in the office of the building division copies of the following documents evidencing the location and type of floodplain development, all of which are to be made available to members of the general public for inspection, review and copying:

A. All elevation certificates filed with the building official in the manner required by the floodplain standards adopted by or pursuant to Section 16.37.100 of this title; and

B. All notices of a variance from the floodplain standards adopted by or pursuant to this title.s

(Ord. 2131 §6)

In the event the city proposes to cause or permit the relocation or alteration of a watercourse, the director shall serve the California Department of Water Resources, the County of Butte and any adjoining communities with a notice of such relocation or alteration, and shall provide evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Insurance Administration.

In addition, in the event the city proposes to cause or permit the relocation or alteration of a watercourse, the director shall assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated watercourse shall be maintained.

(Ord. 2131 §6, Ord. 2364 §331)