Pasadena, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 14.27 applies citywide to any land the floodplain administrator identifies as flood-prone, using base flood data from FEMA and other federal or state sources kept on file with the planning and community development department at 175 North Garfield Avenue, per Sections 14.27.040 and 14.27.050. Section 14.27.060 is the chapter's core compliance rule: no structure or land can be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered in a flood-prone area without full compliance with the chapter and any other applicable regulations, and violating those requirements, including any conditions or safeguards attached to a permit, is a misdemeanor.

The floodplain administrator, appointed by the city manager under Section 14.27.120, reviews every development application in a flood-prone area to confirm chapter permit requirements are satisfied, all other required state and federal permits have been obtained, and the site is reasonably safe from flooding, per Section 14.27.130. Where this chapter conflicts with another ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction, Section 14.27.070 requires whichever imposes the more stringent restriction to control, and the chapter's provisions are treated as minimum requirements, liberally construed in favor of the city, under Section 14.27.080.

Subdivision or manufactured-home-park proposals in flood-prone areas must also be reviewed under Section 14.27.150 to confirm they minimize flood damage, keep utilities located and built to avoid flood damage, and provide adequate drainage. Section 14.27.090 warns that the degree of protection required is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes but does not guarantee properties will be free from flooding, and the chapter creates no city liability for flood damage resulting from reliance on it.