San Rafael Municipal Code Ch. 18.40 Administration

A floodplain development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 18.30.020. Application for a floodplain development 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. Specifically, the following information is required:

A. Site plan, including but not limited to:

1. For all proposed structures, spot ground elevations at building corners and twenty (20) foot or smaller intervals, along the foundation footprint, or one foot contour elevations throughout the building site; and

2. Proposed locations of water supply, sanitary sewer, and utilities; and

3. If available, the base flood elevation from the Flood Insurance Study and/or Flood Insurance Rate Map; and

4. If applicable, the location of the regulatory floodway; and

B. Foundation design detail, including but not limited to:

1. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; and

2. For a crawl-space foundation, location and total net area of foundation openings as required in Section 18.50.010.C.3 of this title and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Technical Bulletins 1 and 7; and

3. For foundations placed on fill, the location and height of fill, and compaction requirements (compacted to ninety-five percent (95%) using the Standard Proctor Test method); and

C. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be flood proofed, as required in Section 18.50.010 C.2 of this title and FEMA Technical Bulletin TB 3; and

D. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 18.40.030 D of this ordinance; and

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

(Ord. 1796 § 1 (part), 2003).

(Ord. No. 2037, § 2, 7-15-2024)

The director of public works, is hereby appointed to administer, implement, and enforce this ordinance by granting or denying floodplain development permits in accord with its provisions.

(Ord. 1796 § 1 (part), 2003).

(Ord. No. 2037, § 2, 7-15-2024)

The duties and responsibilities of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to the following:

A. Permit Review. Review all floodplain development permits to determine that:

1. Permit requirements of this title 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 title, "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. Review, use and development of other base flood data.

1. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 18.30.020, 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 Chapter 18.50. Any such information shall be submitted to the city for adoption; or

2. If no base flood elevation data is available from a federal or state agency or other source, then a base flood elevation shall be obtained using one of two methods from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publication "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas—A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (one hundred 100-year) Flood Elevations" dated July 1995 in order to administer Section 5:

a. Simplified method;

i. One hundred (100) year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the appropriate regression equation found in a U.S. Geological Survey publication, or the discharge-drainage area method; and

ii. Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the Quick-2 computer program developed by FEMA; or

b. Detailed method;

i. One hundred (100) year or base flood discharge shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-HMS computer program; and

ii. Base flood elevation shall be obtained using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' HEC-RAS computer program.

C. Notification of Other Agencies. In alteration or relocation of a watercourse:

1. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to alteration or relocation;

2. Submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

3. Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained.

D. Documentation of Floodplain Development. Obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed the following:

1. Certification required by Section 18.50.010 C.1 and 18.50.040 (lowest floor elevations),

2. Certification required by Section 18.50.010 C.2 (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures),

3. Certification required by Sections 18.50.010 C.3 (wet floodproofing standard),

4. Certification of elevation required by Section 18.50.030 B (subdivision standards),

5. Certification required by Section 18.50.060 A (floodway encroachments),

6. Information required by Section 18.50.070 F (coastal construction standards), and

E. Map Determinations. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard. Where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions, grade and base flood elevations shall be used to determine the boundaries of the special flood hazard area. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Chapter 18.60.

F. Remedial Action. Take action to remedy violations of this ordinance as specified in Section 18.30.030.

G. Base Flood Elevation Changes Due to Physical Alterations. Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator or their designee, shall submit or assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR).

(Ord. 1796 § 1 (part), 2003).

(Ord. No. 2037, § 2, 7-15-2024)

The city council of the City of San Rafael shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrator in the enforcement or administration of this title.

(Ord. 1796 § 1 (part), 2003).