San Leandro, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 7-9, Floodplain Management, applies "to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City of San Leandro" under Section 7-9-300. The special flood hazard areas are the ones mapped by FEMA's Federal Insurance Administration in the Flood Insurance Study dated September 1979 and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated March 18, 1980, along with all later amendments, which Section 7-9-305 adopts by reference and keeps on file at the Chief Building Official's office. " Section 7-9-400 requires a development permit for any construction or development within a special flood hazard area, with the application on Floodplain Administrator forms showing the proposed elevation of the lowest floor relative to mean sea level, existing and proposed structures, fill, drainage facilities, and any planned alteration or relocation of a watercourse.

The Building Official holds the Floodplain Administrator role under Section 7-9-405 and, per Section 7-9-410, reviews every permit to confirm state and federal permits are also in hand, the site is reasonably safe from flooding, and the project will not raise the base flood water surface elevation by more than one foot. Property owners who believe the Floodplain Administrator misapplied the Chapter, or who want a variance, appeal to the City Council itself under Section 7-9-605; the Council weighs eleven listed factors, including flood and erosion danger, access for emergency vehicles, and expected flood velocity, before ruling. Section 7-9-600 warns that variances "are quite rare" because the City's duty to protect residents from flood loss outweighs individual hardship claims.