To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Planning and Building Services
Meeting Date: September 9, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Julia Krog |
Phone: |
707-234-6650 |
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Department Contact: |
Richard Angley |
Phone: |
707-234-6650 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Mendocino County Code Chapter 22.17 (Floodplain Ordinance) to Comply with Federal and State Regulations, Including Conformance with the Newly Adopted Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Mendocino County
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt an Ordinance amending Mendocino County Code Chapter 22.17 (Floodplain Ordinance) to comply with Federal and State regulations, including conformance with the newly adopted Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Floor Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Mendocino County; and authorize the Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On June 6, 2017, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance Number 4385, adopting Chapter 22.17 – Floodplain Ordinance repealing Chapter 20.120 (Floodplain Combining District), removing the floodplain regulations from the Zoning Code and placing it as a stand alone chapter in the Land Use section of the County Code (Chapter 22), making the floodplain regulations applicable to both the inland and coastal zones and administered by the Building Official. On July 29, 2025, the Board of Supervisors introduced and waived the first reading of the ordinance.
Summary of Request:
A new Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) have been completed for Mendocino County and will become effective on September 19, 2025. As a result, FEMA has notified the County that the County’s updated Floodplain Ordinance will need to be adopted by the Board of Supervisors before September 19, 2025. This update will make the County’s provisions for flood protection and management consistent with all FEMA requirements in conjunction with the adoption of the updated FIRM maps and would allow the County’s landowners to continue to participate in the Federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Planning and Building Services requests that the Board consider amending Chapter 22.17 of the Mendocino County Code (Floodplain Ordinance). The amendments being proposed are to comply with recent changes in Federal regulations primarily with addition of definitions, addressing coordination with the California Building Standards Code, expansion of the Floodplain Administrator’s role, the requirement for additional analyses to be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when there is a change to the base flood elevation and developments in the floodway or encroachments within the floodway. This would include engineering analysis to be provided to FEMA in such cases. Additional changes/amendments pertain to non-residential structures and manufactured homes as well as regulations affecting non-structural fill or alterations to dunes in the coastal high hazard areas. The other change that is to be incorporated is the regulations for flood control projects and necessary documentation to be provided to FEMA. It is also proposed under this ordinance amendment to modify the elevation above the base flood elevation to align with FEMA requirements by reducing the standard from two (2) feet down to one (1) foot. Staff has worked closely with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff over the past several months to ensure that the proposed ordinance amendments for consideration of the Board are compliant with the above standards. DWR has also coordinated on behalf of the County with FEMA to ensure that FEMA approves of the proposed ordinance amendments.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Safe and Healthy County
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/planning-building-services/public-noticing
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: 862189 |
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current f/y cost: $8,100 |
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budget clarification: General Plan Maintenance funds will be used to cover cost. |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
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FEMA only notified PBS of requirement after budget submittal. |
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revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: Yes
CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Adopted |
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Date: September 9, 2025 |
Executed Item Type: Ordinance |
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Number: 4547 |
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