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Anaheim · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Anaheim

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

What Anaheim's code says

Anaheim code What Anaheim's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is needed before any construction, subdivision, substantial improvement, other development or mobile home placement begins.
    Applies: In any special flood hazard area.
    § 17.28.100 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction, subdivision, structure and substantial improvement, other development, or placement of a mobile home begins within any area of special flood hazard established pursuant to Section 17.28.050, hereof.
Building in a floodway
  • No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood level rise.
    Applies: Floodways inside special flood hazard areas.
    § 17.28.180 · 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, including a basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas.
    § 17.28.130 · code text
    New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
  • More than FIRM depth number plus 1 foot above the highest nearby grade; at least 3 feet if none given.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in zone AO.
    § 17.28.130 · code text
    New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus one foot

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Anaheim's code: A development permit is needed before any construction, subdivision, substantial improvement, other development or mobile home placement begins. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 17.28.100); The lowest floor, including a basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 17.28.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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Anaheim Municipal Code — full text