Municipal Code, Complete - City of Santa Barbara

B. Review of all development permits to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those
federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
C. Review of all development permits to determine that the site is reasonably safe from flooding and will not
result in flood elevations increasing more than one foot.
D. Review of all development permits to determine if the proposed development adversely affects the flood
carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated.
For purposes of this Chapter, "adversely affects" means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when
combined with all other existing and anticipated development will not increase the water surface elevation of the base
flood more than one foot at any point.
E. When base flood elevation data in accordance with Section 22.24.060 is unavailable, the Chief of Building
and Zoning shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a
federal, state or other source, in order to administer Section 22.24.160 pertaining to specific standards for residential
and nonresidential construction.
F. Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this Chapter, including:
1. The certification required in Section 2.24.160.C.1 (floor elevations);
2. The certification required in Section 22.24.160.C.2 (elevations in areas of shallow flooding);
3. The certification required in Section 22.24.160.C.3 (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential
structures);
4. The certification required in Section 22.24.160.C.3 (wet floodproofing standard);
5. The certified elevation required in Section 22.24.160.E.2 (subdivision standards);
6. The certification required in Section 22.24.180.A (floodway encroachments); and
7. The information required in Section 22.24.170 (coastal construction standards).
G. Notify adjacent communities, the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and
the California Department of Water Resources prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit
evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration. Require that the flood carrying capacity of the
altered or relocated portion of the watercourse is maintained.
H. Make interpretations as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards, (for
example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The persons
contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as
provided in Section 22.24.140.
I. Take action to remedy violations of this Chapter as specified in Section 22.24.070. (Ord. 4539, 1988; Ord.
4522, 1988; Ord. 3972, 1978.)
22.24.140 Variance and Appeal Procedure.
A. The Planning Commission of the City of Santa Barbara shall hear and decide appeals and requests for
variances from the requirements of this Chapter.
B. The Planning Commission shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any
requirement, decision, or determination made by the Chief of Building and Zoning in the enforcement or
administration of this Chapter.
C. The applicant or any interested person may appeal the decision of the Planning Commission to the City
Council in accordance with the procedures provided in Section 1.30.050 of this Code.
D. In reviewing such application, the Planning Commission shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant
factors, standards specified in other sections of this Chapter, and each of the following:
1. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others.
2. The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage.
3. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage
on the individual owner.
4. The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community.
5. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable.
6. The availability of alternative locations for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion
damage.
7. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development.
8. The relationship of the proposed use to the General Plan and Flood Plain Management Program for that
area.
9. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles.
10. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters and the
effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site.
11. The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance
and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, and streets and bridges.
E. Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of onehalf
acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood
level, providing items identified in Paragraph D have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the onehalf
acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
400-7 rev. 12/31/99