Whittier Municipal Code Art. IV Administration

A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards, established in Section 15.40.070. Applications for a 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. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all structures; in Zone AO or VO, elevation of highest adjacent grade and proposed elevation of lowest floor of all structures;

B. Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed;

C. All appropriate certifications listed in Section 15.40.150(D) of this article; and

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

(Ord. 2429 § 4(A), 1988)

The city engineer is appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permits in accordance with its provisions.

(Ord. 2429 § 4(B), 1988)

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

A. Permit Review.

1. Review all development 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;

4. Require until a regulatory floodway is designated, that no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE on the community's FIRM, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community.

B. Use of Other Base Flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.40.070, the floodplain administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer Article V of this chapter. Any such information shall be submitted to the city council for adoption.

C. Whenever a watercourse is to be altered or relocated:

1. Notify adjacent communities and the California Department of Water Resources prior to the alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration;

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

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

1. The certification required in Section 15.40.160 (C)(1), floor elevations;

2. The certification required in Section 15.40.160 (C)(2), elevations in areas of shallow flooding;

3. The certification required in Section 15.40.160 (C)(3)(c), elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures;

4. The certification required in Section 15.40.160 (C)(4)(a) or (C)(4)(b), wet floodproofing standard;

5. The certified elevation required in Section 15.40.180 (B), subdivision standards;

6. The certification required in Section 15.40.200 (A), floodway encroachments.

E. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for example, 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 of this chapter.

F. Take action to remedy violations of this chapter as specified in Section 15.40.080 of this chapter.

(Ord. 2429 § 4(C), 1988)