Merced County, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

030(A) applies the county's flood hazard chapter to all areas of special flood hazard shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated August 2, 1995, as amended, which are on file at 2222 M Street with the Community and Economic Development Department. 040(A), a development permit must be obtained before any construction or other development begins in a mapped flood hazard area, and the application must include a site plan with spot ground elevations at building corners, the location of water supply and sewer utilities, the base flood elevation if available, and the location of any regulatory floodway.

040(C)(1)(d). Applicants who alter or relocate a watercourse must notify neighboring jurisdictions and the state Department of Water Resources before starting work and send evidence of that notice to FEMA. Every applicant must pay a floodplain management fee before the county issues the building permit, and any watercourse alteration is billed a deposit set by the floodplain administrator. 030(C)(1) makes clear that building or developing in a flood hazard area without an issued permit, or in conflict with one, is a violation, and a structure lacking documented lowest-floor elevation is presumed non-compliant until the paperwork is produced.