San Benito County, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

Each property owner or his or her agent who proposes a project for which a building permit is required in a floodplain area shall, prior to approval thereof, submit plans prepared by a civil engineer, licensed by the State of California. The plans shall establish the living area, manufacturing area or storage area of any structure for which a building permit is required at a minimum of one foot above the 100-year flood elevation. The Director may require evidence from an engineer to assist in the determination.

(3)   The engineer preparing the plans shall, on the building site, provide the Building Inspection Department, at a location acceptable to the Building Inspection Department, a reference to the required elevation that will enable the building department to determine that the required flood elevation is adhered to. The County Building Inspector shall require, and a developer shall provide, written certification from the responsible engineer that the required flood elevation has been met.

(H)   Alternative to required elevation. As an alternative to the construction of buildings one foot above the floodplain as provided herein, the site of the buildings may be raised to the required elevation or the site protected by a levee or berm constructed to the elevation necessary to afford adequate protection. The alternatives shall be subject to the terms of the County’s grading and erosion control ordinance and floodplain management