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Palos Verdes Estates · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Palos Verdes Estates

Palos Verdes Estates'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 Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Palos Verdes Estates's code says

Palos Verdes Estates code What Palos Verdes Estates's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area.
    Applies: Any special flood hazard area; applications may include plans for structures, fill, storage of materials and drainage.
    § 15.50.100 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in PVEMC § 15.50.050.
Building in a floodway
  • Fill and new development are not allowed unless a California civil engineer certifies no rise in base flood elevation.
    Applies: Areas designated as floodways.
    § 15.50.160 · code text
    Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development unless certification by a professional California licensed civil engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in the effective base flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Extra height above flood level
  • The lowest support must be at or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard.
    Applies: Coastal high hazard VE or V zones; measured to the bottom of the lowest horizontal support.
    § 15.50.130 · code text
    In a coastal high hazard VE or V zone, the bottom of the lowest horizontal support member shall be elevated to or above the effective base flood and one-foot freeboard elevation as determined by the floodplain administrator.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.
    § 15.50.130 · code text
    In an A zone, elevated to one foot above the effective base flood elevation, as determined by the floodplain administrator.
  • The lowest floor must be at the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all other zones.
    § 15.50.130 · code text
    In all other zones, elevated to the base flood elevation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Palos Verdes Estates flood zone?

Palos Verdes Estates's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Any special flood hazard area; applications may include plans for structures, fill, storage of materials and drainage.) (§ 15.50.100); The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 15.50.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code — full text