Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 16 — Buildings and Construction›Chapter 16.96 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT›Part III — FLOOD-RESISTANT DEVELOPMENT
Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Art. I Buildings And Structures
Rancho Cordova Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Rancho Cordova
Cite as: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Article I · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 16.96.910. Requirements for buildings and structures in flood hazard areas.¶
Applications for building and structures within the scope of the building code that are proposed in flood hazard areas shall comply with the applicable requirements of the CCR Title 24, Part 2, Building Code, and local amendments to the building code specified in RCMC § 16.02.050.
(Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 16.96.920. Local technical amendments to CCR Title 24 Part 2.¶
CCR Title 24, Part 2, Section 1612.2, is adopted by reference, in addition to adding a new section 1612.2.1 as follows:
| 1612.2.1 Modification of ASCE 24: Non-Residential Elevation requirements. The minimum floor elevation requirements for new or substantially improved non-residential structures shall be as specified in ASCE 24, the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet, or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be dry flood-proofed in accordance with FEMA technical bulletin(s) and the following: |
|---|
| a. Watertight below 1.5 ft above the base flood elevation so that the building walls are substantially impermeable to the passage of water; |
| b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads including the effects of buoyancy; and |
| c. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this section are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. |
CCR Title 24, Part 2.5, Section R322.2.1, is adopted by reference, in addition to the following:
| R322.2.1 Residential Elevation requirements. |
|---|
| 1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floors (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher. |
| a. In areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least as high above the highest adjacent grade as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus 1.5 feet, or not less than 3 feet, if a depth number is not specified. |
| b. In Zone A where there is no BFE or depth on the FIRM, elevate at least 1.5 feet above the highest value determined by: the historic high water data interpreted by the Floodplain Administrator; the elevation shown on a City study; the elevation of the floodplain is plotted on the topography map; or the elevation determined using the detailed method from the FEMA publication, FEMA 265, "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas – A guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-year) Flood Elevations" dated July 1995. |
| c. In Zone AE, Zone AH, and in local flood hazard areas, building pads for slab-on-grade construction shall be at least 1.5 feet above the BFE. |
| d. In Zone AR as established by the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map, the BFE shall be the elevation shown on the FIRM or 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade (before grading occurred), whichever is lower. In areas not designated as developed areas where the AR flood depth is equal to or less than 5 feet above the highest adjacent grade, use the lower of either the AR BFE or the elevation that is 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade; or where the AR flood depth is greater than 5 feet above the highest adjacent grade, use AR BFE. |
| e. In areas affected by dual zones, such as AE or local flood hazard, A-99 regulations or the BFE for the underlying zone, whichever is higher, shall apply. |
| 2. Attached garages for residential buildings shall be constructed at least 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation and all building materials below the residential building floor elevation shall be flood resistant per ASCE 24. Garage space under a house must be elevated at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. |
(Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 16.96.930. Detached garages and accessory storage structures.¶
Detached garages and accessory storage structures used only for parking or storage must be constructed per the amended CCR Title 24, Part 2.5, Section 101. At the discretion of the floodplain administrator, minor detached structures not meeting these requirements may be allowed with proper venting and an executed and recorded declaration of land use restriction in a form approved by the public works director or his/her designee, provided they are constructed at or above the base flood elevation.
(Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 16.96.940. Utility and miscellaneous Group U.¶
Utility and miscellaneous Group U includes buildings that are accessory in character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy in the building code, including, but not limited to, agricultural buildings, aircraft hangars (accessory to a one- or two-family residence), carports, fences more than six feet (1,829 mm) high, grain silos (accessory to a residential occupancy), greenhouses, livestock shelters, private garages, retaining walls, sheds, stables, and towers. In addition to the building code requirements for fire and life safety, the following shall apply to utility and miscellaneous Group U buildings and structures in flood hazard areas:
A. New construction and substantial improvement of such buildings and structures shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from flood loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of the design flood.
B. New construction and substantial improvement of such buildings and structures, when fully enclosed by walls, shall be elevated such that the lowest floor, including basement, is elevated to or above the design flood elevation in accordance with ASCE 24 or shall be dry floodproofed in accordance with ASCE 24.
C. Unless dry floodproofed, fully enclosed areas below the design flood elevation shall be constructed in accordance with ASCE 24 and limited to parking, storage, and building access.
D. When fully enclosed by walls, flood openings shall be installed in accordance with ASCE 24.
E. Flood damage-resistant materials shall be used below the design flood elevation.
F. Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures, shall be located or installed in accordance with ASCE 24.
(Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 16.96.950. Nonstructural elevation and floodproofing.¶
A. Any new built-in swimming pool deck, filter, and pump equipment must be elevated at least one and one-half feet above the base flood elevation unless the property owners execute and record a declaration of land use restriction in a form acceptable to the public works director or his/her designee.
B. For new or substantially improved structures, heating, plumbing fixtures, air conditioning equipment, furnaces, ductwork, electrical panels, solar panels, outlets, switches, fixtures serving new or substantially improved structures shall be at least one and one-half feet above the base flood elevation or the finished floor, whichever is lower, or may be floodproofed to one and one-half feet above the base flood elevation.
C. New solar panels and appurtenances, except as described in subsection (B) of this section, shall be elevated or floodproofed safely above the base flood elevation.
(Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. B))
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code