Title IX — Floodplain Management Ordinance›Chapter 6 — STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION
Sacramento County Zoning Code § 906-02 Residential Elevation
Sacramento County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-10-23 · Sacramento County
Cite as: Sacramento County Zoning Code § 906-02 · Text as of 2026-10-23
New residential structures, or the entire structure being substantially improved/repaired, shall be constructed such that the lowest finished floor is at, or above elevations as follows:
A. In Zone AO with numbered depth, elevate at least 1.5 feet above that depth given on the FIRM as measured from the highest adjacent grade. When no depth is provided on the FIRM, elevate to at least three feet above the highest adjacent preconstruction natural grade. In either case, the Floodplain Administrator may justify and require a higher elevation.
B. In Zone A or Zone A-99 where there is no base flood elevation or depth on the FIRM, elevate at least 1.5 feet above the highest value determined by using the methods below:
The elevation taken from historic high-water data interpreted by the Floodplain Administrator;
The elevation shown in a County study;
The elevation as 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 areas affected by dual zones, such as AE or local flood hazard, the above A-99 regulations or the base flood elevation for the underlying zone, whichever is higher, shall apply.
D. In Zone AE, Zone AH, and local flood hazard areas, at least 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation. Building pads for slab-on-grade construction shall be at least one foot above the base flood elevation and the lowest floor must be at least 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation.
E. In Zone AR as established on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map, the standards in this chapter shall apply to the construction of new buildings, including elevating floors 1.5 ft above the base flood elevation. The base flood elevation will be determined as follows:
The base flood elevation for developed areas shall be the elevation shown on the FIRM or 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade (before grading occurred), whichever is lower.
In areas that are not designated as developed areas:
a. 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 base flood elevation or the elevation that is 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade; or
b. where the AR flood depth is greater than 5 feet above the highest adjacent grade, use the AR base flood elevation
In areas affected by dual zones, such as AE or local flood hazards, the above AR regulations or the base flood elevation for the underlying zone, whichever is higher, shall apply.
F. New residential construction subject to Urban Level of Flood Protection must have the lowest floor at or above the 200-year flood-water surface elevation or be protected by a levee that provides an Urban Level of Flood Protection.
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