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Building in a flood zone in Orange

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

Ask about building in a flood zone in Orange See coverage

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

What Orange's code says

Orange code What Orange's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • You need a development permit before building in a special flood, flood-erosion or mudslide hazard area.
    § 15.60.130 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards, areas of flood-related erosion hazards or areas of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) established in Section 15.60.070.
Building in a floodway
  • Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless certified to cause no rise in flood levels.
    Applies: Areas designated as floodways.
    § 15.60.200 · code text
    Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development 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.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot higher than the FIRM depth number above the highest nearby ground.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM.
    § 15.60.160 · code text
    In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 3 feet above the highest nearby ground.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM.
    § 15.60.160 · code text
    or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.
    § 15.60.160 · code text
    In an A Zone, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, as determined by this community.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all flood zones other than A and AO.
    § 15.60.160 · code text
    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 an Orange flood zone?

Orange's code: You need a development permit before building in a special flood, flood-erosion or mudslide hazard area. (§ 15.60.130); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot higher than the FIRM depth number above the highest nearby ground. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM.) (§ 15.60.160).

General information, not legal advice.

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Orange Municipal Code — full text