Chapter 19.32 — FLOOD HAZARD OVERLAY DISTRICT

The repeal of Chapter 19.32 by Ordinance No. 753 is not effective in the coastal zone. Therefore, both Chapter 15.50 and Chapter 19.32 are effective in the coastal zone. (Added during 1991 republication.)

(Ord. 94-884)

This chapter is designed to promote the public health, safety and general welfare though the creation of a special overlay district which provides regulations for the construction of residential and nonresidential structures within areas of special flood hazard regardless of the zone over which it is applied. Special flood hazard areas, subject to periodic inundation, have been identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in "The Flood Insurance Study for the City of Imperial Beach" with an accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map, both of which are adopted by reference and declared to be part of this Chapter.

(Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884)

• A. In addition to those building permits and other City-granted licenses and entitlements which may be required for the development of property in the City, a flood hazard area development permit shall be obtained from the City Engineer prior to the commencement of any construction of any physical change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings, structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations within the areas of special flood hazard.

• B. Prior to the issuance of a flood hazard area development permit, a certification by a civil engineer registered in the State of California shall be filed with the City Engineer. Such certification shall provide reasonable assurance that the proposed development will not:

  1. Result in flood hazard to any residential or nonresidential structure on the subject property;

  2. Increase flood hazard on adjoining property; or

  3. Alter or relocate any watercourse, unless it can be shown that the proposed alteration or relocation will not diminish the flood-carrying capacity of the watercourse.

• (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884)

The flood hazard certification report prepared by the developer's engineer shall use base flood elevations provided in the most current Flood Insurance Study for the City of Imperial Beach with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Where base flood elevation data is incomplete or inadequate, the developer's engineer shall provide and the City Engineer shall review any base elevation data available from Federal, State or other sources. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884)

Written appeals from the decision of the City Engineer with regard to the approval or denial of a flood hazard area development permit shall be addressed to the City Council and shall be filed with the City Clerk within ten days of the receipt of the written decision of the City engineer. Appeals shall set forth specifically wherein the City Engineer's findings were in error. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884, 1994)