Huntington Beach, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Chapter 222 of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance sets construction standards for the FP2 and FP3 floodplain overlay subdistricts. 14(B)(1)(a), new residential construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). Two exceptions apply: in an AO zone, the lowest floor must sit one foot above the highest adjacent natural grade, exceeding the FIRM depth number by one foot, or at least three feet if no depth number is listed; in an A zone, the City determines the required elevation one foot above BFE.

A California registered engineer or land surveyor must certify the lowest-floor elevation both before a building permit issues and before final inspection, and the completed FEMA elevation certificate goes to the Director. Nonresidential structures may instead be floodproofed to the same level, certified by a registered engineer or architect. Manufactured homes must be elevated on a permanent foundation with the lowest floor one foot above BFE and securely anchored against flotation and lateral movement. Recreational vehicles parked in a flood hazard zone are capped at 180 days on site unless they meet the same elevation and anchoring standards, and any RV sited in a V or VE coastal high-hazard zone must also meet FP3 construction standards.

Large subdivisions, those exceeding 50 lots or five acres, must identify the Special Flood Hazard Area and BFE on their plans and, if filled above BFE, submit an as-built lowest-floor and pad elevation certification to the Floodplain Administrator as part of a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill.