Chino Hills Municipal Code Art. V Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction

In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required:

A. Anchoring.

1. All new construction and substantial improvements 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.

2. All manufactured homes shall meet the anchoring standards of Article V, Section 15.12.200.

B. Construction Materials and Methods. All new construction and substantial improvement shall be constructed:

1. With flood resistant materials as specified in FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 2-93, and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;

2. Using methods and practices that minimize flood damage;

3. 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 if

4. Within Zone AH, AO, AR/AH, or AR/AO so that there are adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide flood waters around and away from the proposed structures.

C. Elevation and Flood Proofing.

1. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation. Non-residential structures may meet the standards in subsection C.3 below. Upon completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or surveyor or verified by the community Building Official that elevation requirements have been met. Such certification and verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

2. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in Zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least one (1) foot higher than the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified. Nonresidential structures may meet standards in subsection C.3 below. Upon completion of the structure compliance to the elevation requirement shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or surveyor or verified by the community Building Official.

3. Nonresidential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall either be elevated to conform with Article 5, Section 15.12.170.C.1, Section 15.12.170.C.2, or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities:

a. Be flood-proofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water to a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation;

b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and

c. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

4. All new construction and substantial improvement with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, and which are subject to flooding, shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwater. Designs for meeting this requirement shall follow the guidelines in FEMA Technical Bulletins TB 1-93 and TB 7-93, and must exceed the following minimum criteria:

a. Have 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. 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 floodwater; or

b. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect.

5. Manufactured homes shall also meet the standards in Article V, Section 15.12.200.

(Ord. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. 408, § 8, 4-23-2024)

A. All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate:

1. Infiltration of flood waters into the systems; and

2. Discharge from the 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. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

A. All preliminary subdivision proposals shall identify the special flood hazard area and the base flood elevation.

B. All subdivision plans will provide the elevation of proposed structure(s) and pad(s). If the site is filled above the base flood elevation, the lowest floor and pad elevations shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or 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. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. 408, § 9, 4-23-2024)

A. All manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved, within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map, on sites located:

1. Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;

2. In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

3. In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, or;

4. In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on a site upon which a manufactured home has incurred 'Substantial damage' as the result of a flood, shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation (the State of California recommends at least two feet above the base flood elevation) and be securely fastened to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

B. All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map that are not subject to the provisions of Article V, Section 15.12.200.A will be securely fastened to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, lateral movement, and be elevated so that either the:

1. Lowest floor of the manufactured home is at a minimum of one (1) foot above the base flood elevation (the State of California recommends at least two feet above the base flood elevation), or;

2. Manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade.

Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, and verified by the community building-inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification and verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

(Ord. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. 408, §§ 10, 11, 4-23-2024)

A. All recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map will either:

1. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days, and 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

2. Meet the permit requirements of Article IV of this chapter and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Article V, Section 15.12.200.A.

(Ord. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Article III, Section 15.12.070 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters that carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:

A. Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in the base flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

B. If Article V, Section 15.12.220.A is satisfied, all new construction, substantial improvement, and other proposed new development shall comply with all other applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Article V.

(Ord. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)

Within areas designated as Zone AR, AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AH, AR/AO, or AR/A as established under Article III, Section 15.12.070, the following standards shall apply:

A. Developed Areas. All new construction in areas designated as developed areas shall meet the standards of Article V using the lower of either the AR base flood elevation or the elevation that is three feet above the highest adjacent grade.

B. Areas not Designated as Developed Areas. All new construction in areas that are not designated as developed areas:

1. Where the AR flood depth is equal to or less than five feet above the highest adjacent grade, shall meet the standards of Article V using the lower of either the AR base flood elevation or the elevation that is three feet above the highest adjacent grade; or

2. Where the AR flood depth is greater than five feet above the highest adjacent grade, shall meet the standards of Article V using the AR base flood elevation.

C. Dual Zone Areas.

1. All new construction in areas within Zone AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AH, AR/AO, or AR/A shall meet the standards of Article V using the higher of either the applicable Zone AR elevation (as determined from Article V, Section 15.12.230.A or B above) or the base flood elevation (or flood depth) for the underlying Zone A1-30, AE, AH, AO, or A.

2. All substantial improvements to existing construction within Zone AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AH, AR/AO, or AR/A shall meet the standards of Article V using the base flood elevation (or flood depth) for the underlying Zone A1-30, AE, AH, AO, or A.

(Ord. 191 § 1 (part), 2006)