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Building in a flood zone in Salinas

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

What Salinas's code says

Salinas code What Salinas's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A development permit is required before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area.
    § 9-06.16 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 9-06.08 Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the floodplain administrator, and may include, but are not limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing.
Height of the lowest floor
  • At least 2 feet above FIRM depth number, over the highest nearby grade; at least 2 feet if none given.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO Zone.
    § 9-06.34 · 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 two feet, 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 base flood elevation (BFE).
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A Zone.
    § 9-06.34 · code text
    In an A Zone, elevated two feet (minimum) above the base flood elevation; such base flood elevation shall be determined by methods in Section 9-06.19(b) of this article.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation (BFE).
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all other flood zones.
    § 9-06.34 · code text
    In all other zones, elevated two feet (minimum) above the base flood elevation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Salinas's code: A development permit is required before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. (§ 9-06.16); At least 2 feet above FIRM depth number, over the highest nearby grade; at least 2 feet if none given. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO Zone.) (§ 9-06.34).

General information, not legal advice.

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Salinas Municipal Code — full text