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Lathrop · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Lathrop

Lathrop's own rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text for every value.

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

What Lathrop's code says

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area.
    § 15.56.230 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.56.060(B).
Building in a floodway
  • No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood level no more than 1 foot.
    Applies: In Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted; the 1-foot limit applies at any point in the city.
    § 15.56.180 · code text
    Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city of Lathrop.
  • No fill, new construction, substantial improvement or other new development unless it will not raise base flood elevation.
    Applies: Designated floodways; a registered professional engineer or architect must certify no increase.
    § 15.56.180 · code text
    Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new 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 the base flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor
  • At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes, including equipment and mechanical items, in A zones and all other zones.
    § 15.56.130 · code text
    Residential construction, new or substantial improvement (including equipment or mechanical items), shall have the lowest floor including basement in an A zone, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, as determined by this community; and in all other zones, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Lathrop's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.56.230); At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes, including equipment and mechanical items, in A zones and all other zones.) (§ 15.56.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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