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Building in a flood zone in Alturas

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

What Alturas's code says

Alturas code What Alturas's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is required before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area.
    § 29-12 · code text
    Any development subject to obtaining a development permit, shall obtain said permit before any construction or other development begins within any areas of special flood hazard established in section 29-7.
Building in a floodway
  • No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no base flood elevation rise.
    Applies: Floodways.
    § 29-21 · code text
    Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development 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
  • The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an A zone.
    § 29-16 · 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 or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in zones AE, AH and A1-30.
    § 29-16 · code text
    In zones AE, AH, and A1-30, elevated at least the base flood elevation, as determined by this community.
  • Above highest adjacent grade by the FIRM depth number plus at least 1 foot; at least 3 feet without one.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone.
    § 29-16 · 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.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in an Alturas flood zone?

Alturas's code: A development permit is required before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 29-12); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New homes and substantial improvements in an A zone.) (§ 29-16).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Alturas's building in a flood zone rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Alturas Municipal Code — full text