Ventura County, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard required
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Zones covered
- FIRM AE, AH, A1-30
- Certification
- Registered engineer or licensed surveyor
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Ventura County only
Summary
New homes built in Ventura County's mapped flood zones must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation before the county will sign off.
All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement:a.In FIRM AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated one (1) foot above the base flood elevation.b.In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height one (1) foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.c.In a FIRM A Zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A Zone], elevated one (1) foot above the base flood elevation, as determined under Section 5604-2(c). Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor, and verified by the County building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification and verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Ventura County, the Floodplain Management Ordinance requires new residential construction and substantial improvements in FIRM Zones AE, AH and A1-30 to have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Nonresidential buildings must either meet the same elevation or be floodproofed to that height. A registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor must certify the elevation, verified by the county building inspector.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required freeboard blocks final inspection and certificate of occupancy; the County can also pursue code-enforcement remedies since flood-insurance eligibility depends on compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Oxnard or Thousand Oaks?
What if my home is in an AO zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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