Article 5 — Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction

§ 9-9.501. Standards of construction.¶

In all special flood hazard areas, the following standards shall be required:

(a) Anchoring.
- (1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be 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 Section 9-9.504 of this article.
(b) Construction materials and methods.
- (1) All new construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damages for areas below the base flood elevation plus one foot freeboard.
- (2) All new construction and substantial improvements including manufactured homes, shall be constructed using methods and practices which minimize flood damages.
- (3) All new construction and substantial improvements including manufactured homes, shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and airconditioning equipment and other service facilities which are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
- (4) Within Zones AH or AO, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures shall be required.
(c) Elevations and floodproofing.
- (1) The new construction or substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot freeboard. Nonresidential structures shall meet the standards set forth in subsection (3) of this subsection. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor plus one foot freeboard, including the basement, shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, or verified by the Building Inspector, to be properly elevated. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.
- (2) The new construction or substantial improvement of any structure in Zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus one foot freeboard, or at least two feet if no depth number is specified plus one foot freeboard. Nonresidential structures shall meet the standards set forth in subsection (3) of this subsection. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including the basement, shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, or verified by the Building Inspector, to be properly elevated. Such

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City of Ojai, CA § 9-9.501

OJAI CODE

§ 9-9.503

certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

(3) Nonresidential construction shall be elevated either in conformance with subsection (1) or (2) of this subsection or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities:
- (i) Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level plus one foot freeboard the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
- (ii) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
- (iii) 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) For all new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor, which areas are subject to flooding, shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement shall either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
  - (i) Either 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 shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above the grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Buildings with more than one enclosed area must have openings on exterior walls for each area to allow flood water to directly enter; or
  - (ii) Be certified by a registered civil engineer or architect to comply with a local floodproofing standard approved by the Federal Insurance Administration.
- (5) Manufactured homes shall also meet the standards set forth in Section 9-9.504 of this article.
(§ 1, Ord. 655, eff. May 19, 1988, as amended by § 2, Ord. 914, eff. March 24, 2021)

§ 9-9.502. Standards for utilities.¶

(a) All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate the infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from systems into floodwaters.
(b) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
(§ 1, Ord. 655, eff. May 19, 1988)

§ 9-9.503. Standards for subdivisions.¶

(a) All preliminary subdivision proposals, including proposed manufactured home parks and subdivisions, shall identify the flood hazard area and the elevation of the base flood.

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-9.503

§ 9-9.506

(b) All final subdivision plans including proposed manufactured home parks and subdivisions, shall provide the elevation of proposed structures and pads. If the site is filled above the base flood, the final pad elevation 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 damages.
(d) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, located and constructed to minimize flood damages.
(e) All subdivisions shall provide adequate drainage to reduce exposure to flood hazards. (§ 1, Ord. 655, eff. May 19, 1988, as amended by § 2, Ord. 914, eff. March 24, 2021)

§ 9-9.504. Standards for manufactured homes.¶

All new, substantially improved, and replacement manufactured homes and additions to manufactured homes shall:

(a) Be elevated so that the lowest floor is at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot freeboard;
(b) Be securely anchored to a permanent foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement; and
(c) Be supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above grade.
(§ 1, Ord. 655, eff. May 19, 1988, as amended by § 2, Ord. 914, eff. March 24, 2021)

§ 9-9.505. Floodways.¶

Located within the special flood hazard areas established by Section 9-9.302 of Article 3 of this chapter are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of floodwaters which carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge; and
(b) If the provisions of subsection (a) of this section are satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all the other applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of this article.
(§ 1, Ord. 655, eff. May 19, 1988)

§ 9-9.506. Standards for recreational vehicles.¶

All recreational vehicles placed in Zones A1-30, AH, and AE will either:

(a) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; or
(b) 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

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City of Ojai, CA § 9-9.506

OJAI CODE

§ 9-9.506

type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions; or

(c) Meet the permit requirements of Section 9-9.401 of this Code and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Section 9-9.504.
(§ 8, Ord. 844, eff. September 12, 2014)

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City of Ojai, CA

BUILDING REGULATIONS

§ 9-9.601