FEMA flood zone rules in Los Angeles County, CA — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
LA County Code Title 11, Chapter 11.60 establishes floodway regulations for unincorporated areas. Development within FEMA flood zones requires compliance with NFIP standards. The County Flood Zone Determination website maps all flood hazard areas.
LA County Code Title 11, Chapter 11.60 designates floodways in unincorporated areas based on capital flood boundaries adopted in 1980. No construction or grading is permitted within established floodways if it increases flood hazard to adjacent properties by raising water surface elevation, deflecting flows, or increasing erosion. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) overlay county maps and establish Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) — Zones A, AE, AH, AO, and VE. Properties in SFHAs must obtain flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). New construction must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The County participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) providing insurance discounts. LA County Public Works maintains the Flood Zone Determination website for property lookups.
Building without floodplain permits may result in stop-work orders and fines. Non-compliance with NFIP can lead to loss of flood insurance eligibility for the entire community. Fines for unpermitted work in floodways start at $500 per day.
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See how Los Angeles County's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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