Flood Zones: Costa Mesa vs Midway City
How do flood zones rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Midway City, CA?
Costa Mesa and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development under Title 13 (Planning, Zoning and Development), Chapter V, Article 8 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code. Sections 13-81 through 13-83 govern uses permitted in designated floodway fringe and Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) shown on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, development standards for floodway areas, and exceptions. The Santa Ana River forms Costa Mesa's western boundary and Upper Newport Bay borders the city's eastern edge - both are primary regulated drainages. State authority for floodplain regulation derives from California Water Code Sections 9100 et seq. (Flood Control) and Section 8400 (state floodway designation). FEMA's currently effective Orange County FIRM panels apply to all floodplain determinations within city limits.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Orange County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain construction standards in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas across unincorporated communities and county-administered watersheds.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Local Code | Costa Mesa MC Title 13, Chapter V, Article 8 (Sections 13-81 to 13-83) | - |
| State Law | Cal. Water Code Sections 9100, 9620, 9650 | - |
| Federal Law | 44 CFR Parts 59-72 (NFIP) | - |
| Primary Drainages | Santa Ana River (west), Upper Newport Bay (east) | - |
| Flood Maps | FEMA Orange County FIRM (msc.fema.gov) | - |
| NFIP Status | Participating community | - |
| Permit Authority | Costa Mesa Development Services / Building Division | - |
| Elevation Cert. | Required for new/substantially improved structures in SFHA | - |
| Program | - | FEMA NFIP |
| Trigger | - | 50% substantial improvement |
| Coastal zones | - | VE (wave hazard) |
| Department | - | OC Public Works |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Midway City FAQ
How do I know if my property is in a flood zone?
Check FEMA Flood Map Service Center or OC Public Works floodplain viewer using your address. Zone designations determine insurance and building requirements.
Do I need flood insurance?
Federally backed mortgages in Zone A or VE require flood insurance. Other property owners may purchase voluntarily through the NFIP.
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