Rancho Cordova, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard above BFE
- 1.5 feet, residential and non-residential
- AO zone shallow flooding
- Depth number plus 1.5 ft, or 3 ft minimum
- Attached garage elevation
- At least 1.5 ft above base flood elevation
- Manufactured home lowest floor
- 1.5 ft above base flood elevation
- Certification required
- Registered engineer or architect, non-residential
Summary
Rancho Cordova requires new and substantially improved buildings in flood hazard areas to be elevated 1.5 feet above the base flood elevation, a freeboard margin added on top of the FEMA-mapped flood level for both residential and non-residential construction.
1612.2.1 Modification of ASCE 24: Non-Residential Elevation requirements. The minimum floor elevation requirements for new or substantially improved non-residential structures shall be as specified in ASCE 24, the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet... ... R322.2.1 Residential Elevation requirements. 1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floors (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1.5 feet or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
5 feet, or be dry floodproofed to that height with watertight walls, hydrostatic-load-resistant structural components, and a registered engineer's or architect's certification filed with the floodplain administrator. 5 feet above the BFE. 5 feet above the base flood elevation, with garage space under a house elevated at least 1 foot above it. 5 feet above the base flood elevation unless floodproofed or covered by a recorded land-use restriction. 1240.
Violations & Fines
A building or structure lacking documentation of its lowest-floor elevation or other required design certifications is presumed to be a violation of the floodplain regulations under RCMC § 16.96.710 until the missing records are submitted to the floodplain administrator, and violating the elevation requirements is a misdemeanor. The floodplain administrator can issue a stop-work order or notice of violation to the owner, the owner's agent, or whoever is performing the work under § 16.96.720.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far above the base flood elevation must a new home be built in Rancho Cordova?
Does the freeboard requirement apply to garages and pools too?
What about non-residential buildings in a Rancho Cordova flood zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle flood elevation requirements.