FEMA flood zone rules in Concord, CA — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Portions of Concord along Walnut Creek, Pine Creek, and Galindo Creek lie in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (AE zones). The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and enforces floodplain construction standards under CMC Chapter 18.170.
The City of Concord participates in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is a member of the Community Rating System, giving property owners in SFHA zones a flood-insurance premium discount. Flood hazard areas in Concord are mapped on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) effective for Contra Costa County, last revised June 16, 2009 and as amended. Primary flood-prone corridors include portions of Walnut Creek (the creek, which crosses central Concord and feeds into the Contra Costa Flood Control District channel), Pine Creek, Galindo Creek, and Mt. Diablo Creek tributaries. Properties in Zone AE (1% annual chance/100-year flood) must comply with CMC Chapter 18.170 (Floodplain Management): lowest floor of new residential structures must be at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) - a 1-foot freeboard standard. Non-residential structures may be flood-proofed to BFE+1. Substantial improvements (more than 50% of market value) to existing structures trigger full floodplain compliance. Elevation Certificates are required before final inspection. Enclosed areas below the BFE must have flood openings (minimum 1 sq in per sq ft of enclosed area). Fill placement requires a CLOMR/LOMR. Determine your zone at FEMA's Map Service Center. Flood insurance is federally required for mortgages on properties in SFHA.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle flood zones.
See how Concord's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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