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Ojai · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Ojai

Ojai's own rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text for every value.

Ask about building in a flood zone in Ojai See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Ojai Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Ojai's code says

Ojai code What Ojai's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area.
    § 9-9.401 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area established by Section 9-9.302 of Article 3 of this chapter.
Building in a floodway
  • No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless a registered professional engineer or architect certifies no flood level increase.
    Applies: Development in designated floodways.
    § 9-9.505 · 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
  • At or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard.
    Applies: Lowest floor of new or substantially improved structures in special flood hazard areas.
    § 9-9.501 · code text
    The new construction or substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot freeboard.
  • Above the highest adjacent grade by at least the FIRM depth number in feet plus 1 foot of freeboard.
    Applies: New or substantially improved structures in Zone AO with a depth number on the FIRM.
    § 9-9.501 · code text
    The new construction or substantial improvement of any structure in Zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus one foot freeboard
  • At least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade, plus 1 foot of freeboard.
    Applies: New or substantially improved structures in Zone AO with no depth number on the FIRM.
    § 9-9.501 · code text
    or at least two feet if no depth number is specified plus one foot freeboard.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Ojai's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 9-9.401); At or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard. (Lowest floor of new or substantially improved structures in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 9-9.501).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Ojai Municipal Code — full text