Victorville, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)

The Building Official serves as floodplain administrator (Sec. 060(b)) and must approve a development permit before construction begins in any area of special flood hazard (Sec. 060(a)); the application must show the proposed elevation of the lowest floor relative to mean sea level. Standards of construction (Sec. 070(c)) require residential structures' lowest floor, including any basement, to sit at or above the base flood elevation in an A zone, at or above the FIRM depth number (or two feet above grade if none is listed) in an AO zone, and to be certified by a registered engineer or surveyor, or verified by the City Building Inspector, once built.

Nonresidential structures can instead be flood-proofed to that elevation if watertight and certified by a registered engineer or architect. Enclosed areas below the lowest floor used only for parking, access, or storage need flood vents: at least two openings totaling one square inch of net area per square foot of enclosed space, with openings no higher than one foot above grade. The standards rest on FEMA's Flood Insurance Study and FIRM for San Bernardino County dated September 2, 2016 (Sec. 050(b)), on file at 14343 Civic Drive.

150, described as 'quite rare,' and any variance below base flood elevation triggers a recorded notice warning that flood insurance premiums can run up to $25 per $100 of coverage.