Floodplain Development

In 1973, Congress passed the Flood Disaster Protection Act which requires purchase of flood insurance for buildings located within FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Insurance is made available to residents because Ventura County is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and therefore must adopt and enforce minimum floodplain management standards.  

Minimum floodplain development standards are codified in Ventura County’s Floodplain Management Ordinance 4521  which specifically outlines requirements for construction or “development” in the SFHA within unincorporated Ventura County. “Development” is defined as, “any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or material.”  

The County maintains its eligibility for NFIP coverage and emergency Federal disaster funding by issuing floodplain development permits that ensure development is conducted in a manner consistent with the Floodplain Management Ordinance and 2022 Ventura County Building Code.   

The Ventura County Public Works Agency, Engineering Services, Land Development Services is responsible for issuing floodplain development permits and is located on the third floor of the Hall of Administration Building at 800 S. Victoria Ave. To initiate the floodplain development permit process, use the Public Works Questionnaire or the Floodplain Permit Quick Reference List. The cost of your permit is dependent on the proposed scope of work and a breakdown can be found in the Fee Schedule. You may still have questions or a unique scenario that requires additional support and call Land Development Services directly at 805-654-2423.