City of SacramentoLaw and Legislation Committee Report915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814www.cityofsacramento.orgFile ID:2025-00043 2/11/2025Consent Item 4.An Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Chapter 15.104 of the Sacramento City Code,Relating to Floodplain ManagementFile ID: 2025-00043Location:CitywideRecommendation:1) Adopt anOrdinance amending various sections of Chapter 15.104 relating tofloodplain management.Contact:Rosa Millino, Senior Engineer, (916) 808-1451, [email protected]; Neal Joyce,Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-1912, [email protected]; Sherill Huun, Engineering &Water Resources Division Manager, (916) 808-1455, [email protected]; PravaniVandeyar, Director, (916) 808-3765, [email protected]; Department of UtilitiesPresenter: NoneAttachments:1-Description/Analysis2-Ordinance, Clean3-Ordinance, RedlinedDescription/AnalysisIssue Detail:The City maintains floodplain management regulations to comply with the FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Being part ofthe NFIP and complying with the regulations specified in the City Code allows residents andbusinesses to obtain discounted flood insurance and emergency funding from FEMA. The City alsoparticipates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) program, which allows a 30% reduction inflood insurance costs to residents and businesses with the City’s current CRS Class 4 rating. TheCity must comply with higher floodplain standards than required by the NFIP to maintain this Class 4rating. The proposed ordinance revisions include various revisions to Chapter 15.104 of the CityCode to make the City’s floodplain management regulations consistent with the NFIP requirementsand CRS program.Policy Considerations:The 2040 General Plan includes the following goals and policies related toflood protection:Page 1 of 3 File ID:2025-00043 2/11/2025Consent Item 4.GOAL ERC-6 Flood Protection. Protection of life and property from flood hazards.ERC-6.4 Floodplain Requirements. The City shall regulate development within floodplains inaccordance with State and Federal requirements and maintain the City’s eligibility under the NationalFlood Insurance Program.ERC-6.5 Community Rating System. The City shall continue its participation in the FederalEmergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Rating System program, which givesproperty owners discounts on flood insurance.ERC-6.7 Flood Hazard Evaluation. The City shall require evaluation of potential flood hazards priorto approval of development projects and shall require new development located within a SpecialFlood Hazard Area to be designed to meet federal and State regulations and minimize the risk ofdamage in the event of a flood.Economic Impacts:None.Environmental Considerations:The Community Development Department, EnvironmentalPlanning Services has reviewed the proposed amendments to the City’s floodplain managementregulations and has determined that the project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308. Section 15308 exempts actions taken byregulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance,restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involvesprocedures for protection of the environment.Sustainability:The project is consistent with the City’s Sustainability Master Plan in advancing thegoal of exceptional flood protection.Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.Rationale for Recommendation:The proposed ordinance revisions are a result of the 2023Community Rating System audit, where the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and FEMA determinedthat the zone A99, a special flood hazard area, requires additional development regulations. Thesechanges and corrections will ensure compliance with the NFIP and CRS program.Financial Considerations:Not applicable.Local Business Enterprise (LBE):Not applicable.Background:The proposed ordinance revisions include a number of revisions to Chapter 15.104 ofPage 2 of 3 File ID:2025-00043 2/11/2025Consent Item 4.the City Code to include amended regulations in the A99 flood zone and add new definitions in orderto stay consistent with the NFIP and CRS program.During the August 2023 Community Rating System re-verification visit, the City of Sacramento wasfirst informed that the A99 flood zone, which is also a special flood hazard area, needed to beregulated like the rest of the special flood hazard areas.Previously, with FEMA’s approval, the City was allowed to implement reduced regulations in the A99area, but as of July 1, 2024, the City has amended A99 development requirements. The City hasmoved forward with adopting changes to the Comprehensive Flood Management Plan, which is partof the City’s floodplain management regulations. The same changes were made to the City’s Designand Procedures Manual and the Onsite Design Manual that are used to regulate development. Thelast document that requires updating is Chapter 15.104 of the City Code.The key ordinance additions include:Definitions missing from previous City Code revisions; Adds definitions of, “Elevationcertificate”, “Flood-proofing certificate”, “Hydraulic grade line”, “Magpie Creek floodplain”,“Overland release”, and “Overland release point”.Added amended regulations to the A99 zone to include lowest floor elevation requirementsand collection of construction (elevation and flood-proofing) certificates.The key ordinance revisions include:The definition of “special flood hazard area” is amended to include the Magpie Creekfloodplain since the City applies higher standards and regulates this area like the rest ofspecial flood hazard areas.Revision to Standards of Construction to apply to all special flood hazard areas including zoneA99.Elevation and Floodproofing section is amended to include Magpie Creek floodplain andsimplifies the requirements by flood zone types.Revision to zone A99 regulations. Adds development regulations requiring new structures andsubstantial improvements or substantial damage structures to be elevated or flood proofed(commercial structures only) to one foot above base flood elevation or 100-year event.Page 3 of 3
ORDINANCE NO. Adopted by the Sacramento City Council Date Adopted AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 15.104.020, 15.104.050, AND 15.104.065 OF THE SACRAMENTO CITY CODE, RELATING TO FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT A. Section 15.104.020 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended as follows: 1. "Elevation certificate" means the FEMANFIP standard form that provides information about a building's elevation and other characteristics, including its location and flood zone, and that is used to ensure compliance with floodplain management ordinances, inform mitigation actions, and reduce flood risk. 2. Floodproofing certificate means the FEMANFIP standard form that is used to certify that a nonresidential building has been designed to reduce or eliminate flood damage instead of elevating it to or above the base flood elevation. 3. hydraulic grade lhereby added to read as follows: has the same meaning as in the design and procedures manual developed pursuant to section 13.08.145. 4. floodplain floodplain identified as Magpie Creek on the city most-recent 100-year floodplain digital flood insurance rate map Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layer. 5. overland releasehereby added to read as follows: has the same meaning as in the design procedures manual developed pursuant to section 13.08.145. 6. A ohereby added to read as follows:
Overland release pointhas the same meaning as in the design and procedures manual developed pursuant to section 13.08.145. 7. sis hereby amended to read as follows: "Special flood hazard area" or "SFHA" means an area: 1. Located in Zone A, AO, AH, AE, A99, AR, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, or AR/A, as designated on any FIRM; 2. Located in the Magpie Creek floodplain; 3. Subject to the base flood as designated on any floodplain map issued by the California Department of Water Resources pursuant to California Water Code section 9610; or 4. Subject to the base flood as reasonably determined in writing by the local administrator based on the best available information relating to flood protection. B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.104.020 remain unchanged and in full effect. A. Subsection A of section 15.104.050 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Standards of Construction. The following standards and requirements apply in all special flood hazard areas, except as otherwise indicated below: Anchoring. All new construction and substantial improvements must be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy. All manufactured homes must meet the anchoring standards specified in subsection C of this section. Construction Materials and Methods. All new construction and substantial improvements must be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
All new construction and substantial improvements must be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. Within zones AH, AO, or AR/AH, adequate drainage paths on slopes are required to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures. 3. Elevation and Floodproofing. a. Zones A, AH, AE, and Magpie Creek Floodplain. i. Zone A. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zone A must have the lowest floor elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. The applicant shall include base flood elevation data prepared and sealed by a California-licensed civil engineer in accordance with currently accepted engineering practices. ii. Zones AH and AE. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zones AH and AE must have the lowest floor elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation specified in feet on the FIRM. iii. Magpie Creek. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in the Magpie Creek floodplain must have the lowest floor elevated a minimum of-- (A) One foot above the highest adjacent 100-year flood HGL; and (B) 18 inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. iv. Sufficiency of Data. Studies, analyses, and computations must be submitted in sufficient detail to allow review and approval by the local administrator. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of data submitted for such determination. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection A.3.d of this section. b. Zone AO. i. All structures. New construction or substantial improvement of any structure in zone AO must have the lowest floor elevated to a minimum of one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM at the
highest adjacent grade or two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified on the FIRM. ii. Nonresidential structures. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection A.3.d of this section. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor must be certified by a California-licensed land surveyor or civil engineer to be properly elevated. Such certification must be provided to the local administrator. Nonresidential construction must either be elevated in conformance with subsections A.3.a through c of this section, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, or must: Be dry floodproofed below the elevation required for the lowest floor so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and Be certified by a California-licensed civil engineer to be in compliance with the standards of this subsection. Such certification must be provided to the local administrator. For all new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, and that are subject to flooding, must be wet floodproofed and designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either: Be certified by a California-licensed civil engineer; or Meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: Provide a minimum of two openings that are located on different exterior walls of the enclosed area, and have a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings must be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with coverings or devices, such as screens, louvers, or valves, which permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters. Buildings with more than one enclosed area must have openings on the exterior walls of each enclosed area. To ensure that the areas below the base flood elevation are used solely for parking vehicles, limited storage, or access to the building, and not
finished for use as human habitation without first becoming fully compliant with the floodplain management regulations in effect at the time of conversion, the local administrator shall: Determine which applications for new construction or substantial improvements have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are five feet or higher; Require the applicant to enter into a non-conversion agreement in a form acceptable to the local administrator. The agreement must be recorded with the Sacramento County recorder as a deed restriction; and Have the authority to inspect any area of a structure below the base flood elevation to ensure compliance upon prior notice of at least 72 hours. Manufactured homes must also meet the standards in subsection A.3.d of this section. For elevation and floodproofing requirements in an AR zone, see subsection F of this section. Garages and Other Accessory Structures. Attached Garages. A garage attached to a residential structure, constructed with the garage floor slab below the base flood elevation, must be wet floodproofed and designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters as specified in subsection A. 3. e of this section. Areas of the garage below the base flood elevation must be constructed with flood resistant materials. A garage attached to a nonresidential structure must meet the above requirements or be dry floodproofed. A garage attached to a residential structure may not be built below the highest adjacent grade. Detached Garages and Other Accessory Structures. Accessory structures may be constructed such that the floor of the accessory structure is below the base flood
elevation, provided the structure is designed and constructed in accordance with the following requirements: Use of the accessory structure must be limited to parking or limited storage; The portions of the accessory structure located below the base flood elevation must be built using flood-resistant materials; The accessory structure must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement; Any mechanical and utility equipment in the accessory structure must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation; The accessory structure must not result in structure flooding (existing or proposed) or cumulative increase to the BFE by more than 1 foot during the occurrence of the base flood as provided in section 15.104.040, A.5.d; and The accessory structure must be designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters in accordance with subsection A.3.e of this section. Detached garages and other accessory structures not meeting the above requirements must be constructed in accordance with all applicable standards in subsections (A)(3)(a) through (g) of this section. A detached garage for a residential structure may not be built below the highest adjacent grade. j. All new construction and substantial improvements must be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities elevated or dry floodproofed one foot above the base flood elevation or one foot above the zone AO depth number specified in feet on the FIRM at the highest adjacent grade, or two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified on the FIRM. B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.104.050 remain unchanged and in full effect.
SECTION 3. A. Subsection C is hereby added to section 15.104.065 of the Sacramento City Code, to read as follows: C. Projects involving new construction, substantial improvement, or substantial damage, must satisfy the following requirements: 1. Residential structures. a. The lowest floor of a residential structure must be elevated a minimum of i. One foot above the highest adjacent 100-year flood HGL; and ii. 18 inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. b. The applicant shall submit an elevation certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor, or architect. 2. Commercial structures. a. The lowest floor, including any basement, of a commercial structure must be elevated or floodproofed a minimum of-- i. One foot above the nearest 100-year flood HGL; and ii. 18 inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. b. The developer shall provide an elevation certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor, or architect. c. If the developer is relying on floodproofing measures, the developer shall also provide a floodproofing certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor, or architect in addition to an elevation certificate. B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.104.065 remain unchanged and in full effect.
ORDINANCE NO. Adopted by the Sacramento City CouncilDate Adopted AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 15.104.020, 15.104.050, AND 15.104.065 OF THE SACRAMENTO CITY CODE, RELATING TO FLOOD MANAGEMENT BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO: SECTION 1. A. Section 15.104.020 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended as follows:1. A definition of “100-year event” is hereby added to read as follows:“100-year event” has the same definition as “base flood.”2. A definition of “elevation certificate” is hereby added to read as follows: "Elevation certificate" means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Flood Insurance Program, standard form that provides information about a building's elevation and other characteristics, such as its location and flood zone, and is used to ensure compliance with floodplain management ordinances, inform mitigation actions, and reduce flood risk.3. A definition of “floodproofing certificate” is hereby added to read as follows: “Flood-proofing certificate” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Flood Insurance Program, standard form used to certify that a non-residential building has been designed to reduce or eliminate flood damage instead of elevating to or above the base flood elevation. 4. A definition of “highest adjacent grade” is hereby added to read as follows: “Highest adjacent grade” means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. 5. A definition of “hydraulic grade line” or “HGL” is hereby added to read as follows: “Hydraulic grade line” or “HGL” shall have the same meaning as described in the City of Sacramento Design Procedures Manual adopted pursuant to section 13.08.145.6. A definition for “Magpie Creek floodplain” is hereby added to read as follows:
“Magpie Creek floodplain” means the area labeled Magpie Creek on the city’smost currently published 100-year floodplain digital flood insurance rate map.7. A definition of “overland release” is hereby added to read as follows: “Overland release” shall have the same meaning as described in the City of Sacramento Design Procedures Manual adopted pursuant to section 13.08.145. 8. A definition of “overland release point” is hereby added to read as follows: “Overland release point” shall have the same meaning as described in the City of Sacramento Design Procedures Manual adopted pursuant to section 13.08.145. 9. The definition of “special flood hazard area” is hereby amended to read as follows:"Special flood hazard area" or "SFHA" means an area either:1. Located in Zone A, AO, AH, AE, A99, AR, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, or AR/A, as designated on any FIRM; or2. Located in the Magpie Creek floodplain; 2.3.Subject to the base flood as designated on any floodplain map issued by the California Department of Water Resources pursuant to Section 9610 of the California Water Code; or 34. Subject to the base flood as reasonably determined in writing by the local administrator based on the best available information relating to flood protection. B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.104.020 remain unchanged and in full effect. SECTION 2. A. Subsection A.of section 15.104.050 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows: in all special flood hazard areas, except in zone A99 or as otherwise indicated below:
to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.in subsection C of this section. improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. 3. Elevation and Floodproofing. a. New construction and substantial improvement of any structurein zZones A, AH, and AE and Magpie Creek floodplain. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zones A, AH, and AE shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation specified in feet include base flood elevation data prepared and sealed by a California-licensed civil engineer in accordance with currently accepted engineering practices. Studies, analyses, and computations must be submitted in sufficient detail to allow review and approval by the local administrator. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of data submitted for such determination. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection (A)(3)(d) of this section. i. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zone A shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. The applicant shall include base flood elevation data prepared and sealed by a California-licensed civil engineer in accordance with currently accepted engineering practices. ii. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zones AH and AE shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation specified in feet on the FIRM. iii. New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in the Magpie Creek floodplain shall have the lowest floor, including
basement, elevated a minimum of one foot above the highest adjacent 100-year eventHGL and at least 18-inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. iv. Studies, analyses, and computations must be submitted in sufficient detail to allow review and approval by the local administrator. The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of data submitted for such determination. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection (A)(3)(d) of this section. b.New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zZone AO. shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM at the highest adjacent grade or two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified on the FIRM. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection A.3.d of this section. i. New construction or substantial improvement of any structure in zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a minimum of one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM at the highest adjacent grade or two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified on the FIRM. ii. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection A.3.d of this section.floor including basement shall be certified by a California-licensed land surveyor or civil engineer to be properly elevated. Such certification shall be provided to the local administrator.with subsections (A)(3)(a) through (c) of this section, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, or shall:lowest floor so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and -licensed civil engineer to be in compliance with the standards of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the local administrator. areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, and that are subject to flooding, shall be wet flood-proofed and
either:-licensed civil engineer; or minimum of two openings that are located on different exterior walls of the enclosed enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings must be no higher than screens, louvers, or valves, which permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters. Buildings with more than one enclosed area must have openings on the exterior walls of each enclosed area. solely for parking vehicles, limited storage, or access to the building and not be finished for use as human habitation without first becoming fully compliant with the floodplain management regulations in effect at the time of conversion, the local administrator shall: substantial improvements have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are five feet or higher; -conversion agreement in a form acceptable to the local administrator. The agreement shall be recorded with the Sacramento County recorder as a deed restriction; and the base flood elevation to ensure compliance upon prior notice of at least seventy-two (72) hours. standards in subsection (A)(3)(d) of this section. subsection F of this section. attached to a residential structure, constructed with the garage floor slab below the base flood elevation, must be wet
floodproofed and designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters as specified in subsection (A)(3)(e) of this section. Areas of the garage below the base flood elevation must be constructed with flood resistant materials.-proofed. be built below the highest adjacent grade. the floor of the accessory structure is below the base flood elevation, provided the limited to parking or limited storage; located below the base flood elevation must be built using flood-resistant materials; anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement; accessory structure must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation; structure flooding (existing or proposed) or cumulative increase to the BFE by more than 1 foot during the occurrence of the base flood as provided in Section 15.104.040(A)(5)(d); and allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters in accordance with subsection (A)(3)(e) of this section. standards in subsections (A)(3)(a) through (g) of this section. be built below the highest adjacent grade.
and other service facilities elevated or dry floodproofed one foot above the base flood elevation or one foot above the zone AO depth number specified in feet on the FIRM at the highest adjacent grade, or two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified on the FIRM. B. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.104.050 remain unchanged and in full effect. SECTION 3. A. Subsection C of section 15.104.065 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby added to read as follows:C. Projects involving new construction, substantial improvement, orsubstantial damage, must satisfy 1. Residential structures. a. Residential structures must be elevated such that the lowest floor, including any basement, is— i. A minimum of one foot above the highest adjacent 100-year event HGL; and ii. At least 18-inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. b. The developer must submit an elevation certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor or architect. 2. Commercial structures. a. Commercial structures must elevate or floodproof to a minimum of one-foot above the nearest 100-year event HGL and at least 18-inches above the controlling overland release point in the public right-of-way. b. The developer must provide an elevation certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor, or architect.
c. If the developer is relying on floodproofing measures, the developer also must provide a floodproofing certificate signed by a registered professional engineer, surveyor, or architect, in addition to an elevation certificate. C. Except as amended by subsection A above, all provisions of section 15.148.065 remain unchanged and in full effect.