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Building in a flood zone in Palmdale

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

What Palmdale's code says

Palmdale code What Palmdale's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • You need a development permit before construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area.
    Applies: Any special flood hazard area.
    § 15.28.090 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards.
Building in a floodway
  • Building into a floodway is not allowed unless a professional engineer certifies no rise in base flood levels.
    Applies: Floodways in Zones A1-30 and AE.
    § 15.28.160 · code text
    Encroachments into floodways within Zones A1-30 and AE shall be prohibited, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachments shall not result in any increase in (the base) flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
  • No building or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot.
    Applies: Where no floodway has been set, in Zones A1-30 and AE.
    § 15.28.160 · code text
    Where the floodway has not been determined, no construction, substantial development, or other development including fill shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City of Palmdale.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be at least as high as the FIRM depth number in feet.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone, when a depth number is given.
    § 15.28.120 · code text
    In an AO Zone, new residential construction and substantial improvement, including manufactured homes, of any residential lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified;
  • The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest nearby ground.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone, when the FIRM gives no depth number.
    § 15.28.120 · code text
    In an AO Zone, new residential construction and substantial improvement, including manufactured homes, of any residential lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified;
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in A and AE zones.
    § 15.28.120 · code text
    In an A and AE Zone, new residential construction and substantial improvement, including manufactured homes, of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation;
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in other special flood hazard zones.
    § 15.28.120 · code text
    In all other special flood hazard area zones, new residential construction and substantial improvement, including manufactured homes, of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Palmdale flood zone?

Palmdale's code: You need a development permit before construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Any special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.28.090); The lowest floor must be at least as high as the FIRM depth number in feet. (New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone, when a depth number is given.) (§ 15.28.120).

General information, not legal advice.

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Palmdale Municipal Code — full text