Santee, CA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 11.36, Flood Damage Prevention, implements the State's delegation of floodplain authority under Government Code Sections 65302, 65560 and 65800, citing San Diego River flood risk as high as 45,000 cubic feet per second based on Army Corps and Caltrans data. Section 11.36.120 requires a development permit before any construction or development begins within an area of special flood hazard established under Section 11.36.070, with applications submitted to the Floodplain Administrator, a role assigned to the Director of Engineering under Section 11.36.130. Applications must show the proposed elevation of the lowest habitable floor relative to mean sea level, any floodproofing elevation, required certifications, and a description of any watercourse alteration; developers must also file a statement with the County Recorder disclosing that flood insurance rates inside the special flood hazard area will run higher than outside it.

Section 11.36.080 makes compliance mandatory citywide: no structure or land may be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered in a special flood hazard area without full compliance with the chapter, and the City Council retains authority to take lawful action to prevent or remedy a violation. The Floodplain Administrator's duties under Section 11.36.140 include verifying that all other state and federal permits are obtained, confirming a proposed project won't raise the base flood elevation more than one foot citywide, and withholding building permits until FEMA issues a final Letter of Map Revision rather than a conditional one.