La Habra, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

The City of La Habra adopted its floodplain management ordinance under Ordinance 1641 in 2004, codified at Chapter 15.64 of the La Habra Municipal Code. Section 15.64.070 adopts by reference the Flood Insurance Study and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps dated February 18, 2004, plus all later amendments, as the basis for identifying the city's areas of special flood hazard; those maps and the underlying study are kept on file at the building and safety division in City Hall.

Anyone proposing to build, fill, grade, dredge or otherwise develop land inside a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area must first obtain a development permit under Section 15.64.120, submitting a site plan with spot ground elevations at building corners, proposed water and sewer locations, the base flood elevation from the FIRM if available, and the location of any regulatory floodway. The director of building and safety serves as floodplain administrator under Section 15.64.130 and reviews every application to confirm state and federal permits are in hand and the site is reasonably safe from flooding.

Where a project would alter or relocate a watercourse, Section 15.64.170 requires the administrator to notify neighboring communities and the California Department of Water Resources before the work proceeds and to document the notice to FEMA. Section 15.64.080 makes any construction or alteration undertaken without full compliance with the chapter a misdemeanor, and Section 15.64.200 authorizes the administrator to take remedial action against violations. Property owners who believe the floodplain administrator misapplied a mapped boundary can appeal to the city council under Section 15.64.205.