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Building in a flood zone in Huntington Beach

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

What Huntington Beach's code says

Huntington Beach code What Huntington Beach's code adds
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor, including a basement, must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New homes and substantial home improvements under the -FP2 floodplain standards; AO and A zones have their own rules.
    § 222.14 · code text
    New residential construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor including basement elevated one foot above the base flood elevation except:
  • 1 foot above the FIRM depth number over the highest nearby natural grade; at least 3 feet if none given.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone.
    § 222.14 · code text
    In an AO zone, the lowest floor including basement shall be elevated one foot above the highest adjacent natural grade to a height exceeding the depth number on the FIRM by one foot or at least three feet if no depth number is specified;
  • The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation set by the City.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.
    § 222.14 · code text
    In an A zone, the lowest floor including basement shall be elevated one foot above the base flood elevation as determined by the City.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Huntington Beach flood zone?

Huntington Beach's code: The lowest floor, including a basement, must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New homes and substantial home improvements under the -FP2 floodplain standards; AO and A zones have their own rules.) (§ 222.14); 1 foot above the FIRM depth number over the highest nearby natural grade; at least 3 feet if none given. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone.) (§ 222.14).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Huntington Beach Municipal Code — full text