A Floodplain Management Permit shall be obtained from the Department of Water Resources before any new construction, substantial improvements or other development, including alteration of land, begins within any special flood hazard area or local flood hazard area either in the form of a permit or a formal improvement plan.
For more information about Floodplain Management Permits, contact:
County of Sacramento Department of Water Resources
(916) 874-6851
For additional information see: Building Permits and Inspection
What is new construction?
Any construction of a new structure. Any reconstruction, addition, or alteration of an existing building or any part thereof beyond the foundation perimeter commencing on or after March 15, 1979.
What is a substantial improvement?
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or alteration of a building, or any part thereof, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the current market value of the building, as determined by independent appraisal. This term includes buildings which have incurred "substantial damage", regardless of the actual repair work performed. This cost is calculated based on the five-year period preceding the building permit application date.
The term does not, however, include either:
- Any project for improvement of a building to correct existing violations or state or local, health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions, or
- Any alteration of a "historic building" provided that the alteration will not preclude the building's continued designation as a "historic building."