Flood Zones: Richmond vs San Ramon

Substantial portions of Richmond along the shoreline, Marina Bay, Point Richmond, and the Iron Triangle lie within FEMA AE, VE, or X-shaded flood zones, requiring flood-resistant construction, elevation certificates, and mandatory flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages.

San Ramon has FEMA-mapped flood zones primarily along San Ramon Creek, Alamo Creek, and their tributaries. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA, Zones A and AE) are subject to FEMA flood insurance requirements for federally-backed mortgages and to elevation requirements under the city's floodplain management ordinance. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and enforces the California Model Floodplain Management Ordinance. New construction in SFHAs must have lowest floor elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).