Hanford, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- A zone elevation
- At or above base flood elevation
- AO zone elevation
- FIRM depth or 2 ft minimum
- Mandatory freeboard
- None (state recommends +1 ft)
- Certification
- Registered engineer or surveyor
Summary
New and substantially improved buildings in Hanford's flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation, per Municipal Code Section 15.52.170.
In an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined by this community. (The state of California recommends that the lowest floor be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, as determined by the community.);
c. In all other zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. (The state of California recommends the lowest floor be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.) Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by the registered professional engineer or surveyor, and verified by the community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification and verification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.
2. Nonresidential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall either be elevated to conform with Section 15.52.170(C)(1) or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities.
a. Be floodproofed below the elevation recommended under Section 15.52.170(C)(1) so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
b. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
c. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this Section 15.52.170(C)(2) are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided by the floodplain administrator.
3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873707; v4 updated 2026-03-17).
Full Breakdown
Hanford Municipal Code Section 15.52.170(C)(1) sets the elevation standard for new and substantially improved residential construction in special flood hazard areas. In an A zone, the lowest floor, including any basement, must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation. In an AO zone, it must reach the FIRM depth number or at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if none is shown. Hanford's mandatory minimum is zero freeboard: the code separately notes the state recommends an extra foot above these minimums, but that is only a recommendation, not a local requirement. Completed elevations must be certified by a registered engineer or surveyor and verified by the city building inspector.
Violations & Fines
Building below the required elevation in a flood hazard area violates Section 15.52.080 as a misdemeanor, and the owner may be denied a certificate of occupancy or face higher flood insurance rates until the deficiency is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hanford require extra freeboard above the base flood elevation?
Who certifies that a new building meets Hanford's flood elevation rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hanford
California rules heatmap·Compare Hanford to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.