Ventura County Public Works – Floodplain Development Permit FAQ
If your home or property is within the Unincorporated Areas of Ventura County, questions regarding Floodplain Development Permit requirements and Floodplains can be made by phone to the Ventura County Public Works Permits Counter at 805-654-2423. Our Public Works Permits Counter, located within the Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura is available for drop-in customers, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. If your home or property is within a particular city, please call the City Engineer’s Office of that city for assistance.
Q: My home, barn, workshop, shed, or garage, was damaged by fire and not the flood. Do I still need to obtain a Floodplain Development Permit to make any repairs if the building is in a Special Flood Hazard Zone (Zone A, AE, AO, AH, VE, and A-99)?
A: Yes. A Floodplain Development Permit will be required from the Ventura County Public Works Agency.
Q: My home was damaged by the fire and it is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Zone. What will be the Floodplain Development Permit requirements to rebuild the home in the same geographical location?
A: FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas are Zones A, AE, AO, AH, VE, and A-99. Homes that are rebuilt within these flood zones will need to be upgraded to the new Ventura County Building Code Standards and require elevating the first floor one foot above the 100-year flood elevation. Materials of the home below this elevation will need to be floodproofed and made of flood resistant materials. A Floodplain Development Permit is required from the Ventura Public Works Agency prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
Q: Are there any exceptions to older homes that were built prior to October 31, 1985 which is the date that the County of Ventura began to incorporate building standards to protect new construction from flood hazards in a FEMA mapped Special Flood Hazard Zone?
A: Homes that were built prior to October 31, 1985, and the estimated repair cost is less than 50% of the value of the existing home less the land value and less depreciation factor, will not need to be elevated or upgraded with floodproof and flood resistant materials. A Floodplain Development Permit from the Ventura County Public Works Agency is required for this situation before a Building Permit can be issued for the repairs.
Q: How do I know if my home or any building on my property is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area?
A: FEMA operates a website that provides Flood Insurance Rate Map Information. However, that website has not been working very well and we would recommend contacting the Ventura County Public Works Agency and providing either a property address or an Assessor Parcel Number. From that information we can provide you with a map that will show if the building is in or out of the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. There is also helpful information at our website: www.vcfloodinfo.com