Chino, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Chino, CA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Approval required from
- planning commission
- Applies in
- FEMA special flood hazard areas
- Administrator
- director of public works
- Violation
- misdemeanor
Summary
Any construction, alteration or encroachment within a Chino special flood hazard area needs prior planning commission approval under the city's floodplain management chapter.
Any alteration, construction, development, encroachment or extension by any person of any land or structure within any area of special flood hazard established by Section 8.60.070 shall require the prior approval thereof by the planning commission. All applications for approval under this section shall be governed by the procedures contained in Chapter 20.23 of the Chino Municipal Code. Application for such approval shall be submitted to the planning commission on forms prepared by the floodplain administrator and approved by the planning commission. The planning commission may require such information as may be necessary to grant or deny the requested approval including, but not limited to the following:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code § 8.60.130 requires planning commission approval before any alteration, construction, development, encroachment or extension of land or structures within a special flood hazard area established under § 8.60.070 (based on San Bernardino County's FEMA Flood Insurance Study and maps). Applicants submit scaled plans, proposed floor elevations relative to mean sea level, and required certifications, processed under Chapter 20.23. The director of public works serves as floodplain administrator under § 8.60.150, reviewing permits and enforcing the chapter, which was readopted in its entirety by Ord. No. 2024-005. Violating the chapter is a misdemeanor under § 8.60.080.
Violations & Fines
Building, altering or developing land in a special flood hazard area without planning commission approval is a misdemeanor under § 8.60.080, and the city can pursue additional remedies to stop or reverse the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need city approval to build in a Chino flood hazard area?
Who enforces Chino's floodplain rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle flood zones.