San Benito County Municipal Code Art. IV Administration

(A) A building permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard, areas of flood-related erosion established in § 19.15.036. Application for a building permit shall be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions and elevation of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing.

(B) Specifically, the following information is required:

(1) Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures. In zone AO elevation of highest adjacent grade and proposed elevation of lowest floor of all structures.

(2) Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed;

(3) All appropriate certifications listed in § 19.15.057 of this chapter; and

(4) Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

(1966 Code, § 6E-13) (Ord. 598, § 4.1)

The Planning Director is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying building permits in accord with its provisions.

(1966 Code, § 6E-14) (Ord. 598, § 4.2)

The duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) Building permit review.

(1) Review all building permits to determine that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;

(2) All other required state and federal permits have been obtained;

(3) The site is reasonably safe from flooding; and

(4) The proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. For purposes of this chapter, “adversely affects” means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point.

(B) Use of other base flood data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with § 19.15.036, the Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal or state agency, or other source, in order to administer Article V. Any such information shall be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.

(C) Relocation or alteration. Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated:

(1) Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to the alternation or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of the notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(2) Require that the flood carrying capacity of the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse is maintained.

(D) Public inspection. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed:

(1) The certification required by § 19.15.070(C)(1) (floor elevations);

(2) The certification required by § 19.15.070(C)(2) (elevations in areas of shallow flooding);

(3) The certification required by § 19.15.070(C)(3) (elevation or floodproofing of non- residential structures);

(4) The certification required by § 19.15.070(C)(4) (wet floodproofmg standard);

(5) The certification of elevation required by § 19.15.072(B) (subdivision standards); and

(6) The certification required by § 19.15.075(A) (floodway encroachments);

(E) Interpretations. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards, and areas of flood-related erosion hazards, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Article VI.

(F) Remedies. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in § 19.15.037 herein.

(1966 Code, § 6E-15) (Ord. 598, § 4.3(F))