Yuba City Municipal Code Art. 5 Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction

In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required:

(a) Anchoring.

(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.

(2) All manufactured homes shall meet the anchoring standards of Section 6-9.504.

(b) Construction materials and methods.

(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

(2) All new construction and substantial improvements shall use methods and practices that minimize flood damage.

(3) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.

(4) All new construction within Zone AO or AH shall have adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures.

(c) Elevation and floodproofing.

(1) Residential new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor, including basement:

(i) In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in ft. on the FIRM, by at least one ft., or elevated at least three ft. above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified;

(ii) In an A zone where no base flood elevations have been determined, elevated at least one ft. above the base flood elevation, as determined by the floodplain administrator through acceptable methods as listed in FEMA book "Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas; A Guide for Developing Base (100 year) Flood Elevations"; and

(iii) In all other zones, elevated at least one ft. above the base flood elevation.

At first form inspection, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

(2) Nonresidential new construction or substantial improvements shall either be elevated to conform with Section 6-9.501(c)(1) or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities:

(i) Be floodproofed below the elevation recommended under Section 6-9.501(c)(1) so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;

(ii) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and

(iii) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this Section 6-9.501(c)(2) are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.

(3) All new construction and substantial improvement with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, and which are subject to flooding, shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwater. Designs for meeting this requirement must exceed the following minimum criteria:

(i) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or

(ii) Have a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square ft. of enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one ft. above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwater.

(4) Manufactured homes shall meet the standards in Section 6-9.504.

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)

(a) All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharge from systems into flood waters.

(b) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)

(a) All preliminary subdivision proposals shall identify the flood hazard area and the elevation of the base flood.

(b) All final subdivision plans will provide the elevation of proposed structure(s), pads, and adjacent grade. If the site is filled above the base flood, the final pad elevation shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and provided to the Public Works Director.

(c) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

(d) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.

(e) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)

(a) All manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within zones A1-30, AH, and AE on Sutter County's Flood Insurance Rate Map, on sites located:

(1) Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;

(2) In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

(3) In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or

(4) In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on a site upon which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as the result of a flood, shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated at least one ft. above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation collapse and lateral movement.

(b) All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within zones A1-30, AH, and AE, on Sutter County's Flood Insurance Rate Map that are not subject to the provisions of Section 6-9.504(a) will be elevated so that either the:

(1) Lowest floor of the manufactured home is at least one ft. above the base flood elevation; or

(2) Manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inch in height above grade and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)

All recreational vehicles placed on sites within zones A1-30, AH, and AE on Sutter County's Flood Insurance Rate Map will either:

(a) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;

(b) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; a recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has not permanently attached additions; or

(c) Meet the permit requirements of Article 4 of this chapter and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Section 6-9.504(a).

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)

Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 6-9.302 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles, and erosion potential, the following provisions apply:

(a) Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other developments unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

(b) If the above is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all other applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of this article.

(c) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.

(d) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.

(e) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage as set forth in Section 6-9.403(a)(1). Certification of compliance shall be required of the developer.

(§ 2, Ord. 002-07, eff. March 28, 2007)