Building in a flood zone in Fillmore: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Fillmore Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Fillmore's code says

Fillmore code What Fillmore's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before building, filling, storing materials, adding drainage, or altering or moving a watercourse. Applies: Applies within any area of special flood hazards. § 6.16.110 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 6.16.060.
Building in a floodway	Fill, construction or other encroachment is banned unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no rise in base flood levels. Applies: Applies in designated floodways. § 6.16.200 · code text Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development shall be prohibited 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. Engineering study setting a setback, or bank setback of 5 times the stream's top width or 20 feet each side. Applies: Where no floodway is identified; the permit holder must provide this. § 6.16.200 · code text If no floodway is identified, the permit holder shall provide an engineering study for the project area that establishes a setback where no encroachment of any new development will be allowed that would increase the water surface elevation of the base flood, plus one foot; or establish a setback from the stream bank equal to five times the width of the stream at the top of the bank or twenty feet on each side from the top.
Height of the lowest floor	Lowest floor: 1 foot above the base flood elevation or the county's latest 100-year flood level, whichever is higher. Applies: New or substantially improved buildings in special flood hazard areas. § 6.16.140 · code text New construction and substantial improvements of any structure shall have the lowest floor or basement floor elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation or the most current one hundred year flood elevation as determined by the Ventura County Flood Control District, whichever is higher. The lowest floor must be at or above the flood map depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved buildings in Zone AO where the flood map shows a depth number. § 6.16.140 · code text New construction and substantial improvement to any structure in a Zone AO shall have the lowest floor or basement floor elevated to or above the depth number specified on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM). The bottom of the lowest floor must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent ground. Applies: New or substantially improved buildings in Zone AO where the flood map shows no depth number. § 6.16.140 · code text If there is no depth number on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM), the bottom of the lowest floor beam or basement floor shall be elevated to a depth of two feet above the highest adjacent grade.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Fillmore flood zone?

Fillmore's code: You need a development permit before building, filling, storing materials, adding drainage, or altering or moving a watercourse. (Applies within any area of special flood hazards.) (§ 6.16.110); Lowest floor: 1 foot above the base flood elevation or the county's latest 100-year flood level, whichever is higher. (New or substantially improved buildings in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 6.16.140).

Building in a flood zone in Fillmore

What Fillmore's code says

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