Welcome to the City of Santa Clarita’s Floodplain Management Site.
Floodplain management is how the City of Santa Clarita plans and prepares for potential flooding to help protect people, property, and the environment. A floodplain is a low-lying area near rivers, creeks, or storm channels that can become flooded during heavy rain or major storms.
The City’s goal is to reduce flood risks through smart planning, maintenance, and community education. This includes making sure new development is built safely, maintaining storm drains and waterways, and keeping residents informed about how to prepare for floods.
FAQs
Community Efforts to Manage Flood Risk
What is the NFIP and how does it benefit Santa Clarita residents?
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiative, helps reduce flood-related financial losses.
The NFIP is a voluntary program based on a mutual agreement between FEMA and the local community. Participation in the program makes federally backed flood insurance available to City residents and allows them to obtain direct federal relief following declared flood disasters.
The program includes flood hazard mapping, federally-backed flood insurance, and floodplain management activities and planning conducted by the City.
What are the benefits of Santa Clarita’s participation in the CRS program and are any actions required to receive the CRS flood insurance discount?
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program administered by FEMA that encourages NFIP communities to perform floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a reward, flood insurance premium rates within the community are discounted to reflect the level of reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s activities.
Based on the City’s floodplain planning, management, and education activities, the City has a current CRS rating of Class 6, which earns a 20% discount on premiums for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas. CRS activities help reduce flood losses, educate the public about flood risks and safety, improve agency coordination and emergency response, ensure accurate insurance ratings, and promote awareness of flood insurance benefits. The discount is automatically applied when purchasing or renewing a flood insurance policy.
The City also sends out an annual letter to property owners in the floodplain.
Get additional information on FEMA’s Community Rating System
Flood Insurance Information
How can I get flood insurance and what does it cover?
Flood insurance is available through NFIP and is sold by participating insurance companies. You can purchase it by contacting your insurance agent. NFIP flood insurance covers damage from flash floods, storm surges, inland flooding, and seasonal storm events that are not typically covered by homeowners’ policies. Flood insurance policies are available for homes, businesses, and residential condominiums, and renters are also eligible to purchase coverage.
Floodplain Development Requirements
What are the requirements for making improvements to structures in floodplain areas?
Any improvements, such as remodels, additions, or conversions within a floodplain must be reviewed by the City to determine if they qualify as a Substantial Improvement under federal regulations. These projects must comply with FEMA standards to remain eligible for flood insurance and federal disaster assistance. If a development does not meet these standards, the structure may not qualify for insurance coverage, federal relief funds, or financing options.
How does floodplain development affect flood insurance and what regulations apply in Santa Clarita?
Any improvements to structures within the floodplain that are not built to federal standards may impact the owner’s ability to obtain flood insurance, secure a loan, or qualify for flood relief assistance. To comply with federal requirements, the City of Santa Clarita has adopted the Floodplain Management Ordinance (Santa Clarita Municipal Code, Section 10.06), which regulates development in designated flood hazard areas. This ordinance, established in cooperation with FEMA, ensures the City remains a participating community in the NFIP.
What FEMA technical bulletins are relevant to floodplain development in Santa Clarita?
- User’s Guide to NFIP Technical Bulletins
- Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures
- Flood Damage – Resistant Materials Requirements
- Non-Residential Floodproofing – Requirements and Certification
- Elevator Installation
- Below-Grade Parking Requirements
- Wet Floodproofing Requirements
- Crawlspace Construction
- Determining Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage
- Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference
- Septic Tank Policy
- Elevation Certificate
- Floodproofing Certificate
- Letter of Map Amendment and Revision (LOMA), (LOMR)
For more information, visit FEMA Technical Bulletins
Floodplain Maps
What are the flood zone categories used on the flood insurance maps?
- A Zone: High-risk flood area
- Shaded X Zone: Moderate-risk area
- Unshaded X Zone: Low-risk area
If your property is mapped into an A Zone – a high-risk area - and you have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender, you are federally required to carry flood insurance.
If your property is mapped into a Shaded X or Unshaded X – a lower-risk zone – flood insurance is not federally required, but it is still strongly recommended to protect against potential flood damage.
Properties newly mapped into a Special Flood Hazard Area after October 1, 2008 may qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy Eligibility Extension, which can significantly reduce insurance premiums. Owners should provide their insurance agent with FEMA’s guidance documents before obtaining a policy.
To view the City’s interactive GIS map, visit City of Santa Clarita – Mapping Your City. For additional assistance, contact the City at (661) 255-4942.
To determine if there is a record of an Elevation/Floodproof Certificate for a property, view Elevation Certificates and search in the folder labeled with either the first letter or number of the street name.
Helpful resources include:
- What Property Owners Need to Know
- Newly Mapped into A High-Risk Area – Preferred Risk Policy
- Preferred Risk Policy – Commercial
- Preferred Risk Policy – Residential
- Santa Clara River Watershed FAQ Sheet December 2020
- Rio Santa Clara Preguntas Frecuentes Diciembre 2020 (SPANISH)
- List of Preliminary FIRM Panels (2019 and 2015)
For Property Owners Newly Mapped into a Higher Risk Zone:
- Map Changes – Moving into a High-Risk Zone (Zone X to Zone A)
- Newly Mapped Insurance Coverage Table April 2020
- Newly Mapped Policy Rate Table and Multipliers (1-4 Unit Residential) April 2020
- Newly Mapped Policy Rate Table and Multipliers (Other Residential Buildings) April 2020
- Newly Mapped Policy Rate Table and Multipliers (Non-Residential Businesses) April 2020
- Standard Maximum Insurance Coverage Table April 2020
For Property Owners Mapped into Lesser Risk Zones:
- Map Changes – Moving Out of a High Risk Zone
- Flood Insurance Manual Policy Cancellation, Refunds Excerpt April 2020
- Preferred Risk Policy for Homeowners and Renters (ENGLISH)
Pólizas de Riesgo Preferido para Propietarios de Vivienda e Inquilinos (SPANISH) - Preferred Risk Policy for Businesses (ENGLISH)
Pólizas de Riesgo Preferido para Negocios (SPANISH) - Preferred Risk Policy Rate Table (1-4 Unit Residential) April 2020
- Preferred Risk Policy Rate Table (Other Residential Buildings) April 2020
- Preferred Risk Policy Rate Table (Non-Residential Businesses) April 2020
What should property owners know about FEMA’s revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)?
FEMA has updated the FIRMs for unincorporated areas and the City of Santa Clarita to better identify Special Flood Hazard Areas. The maps, finalized in June 2, 2021, are now in effect. Property owners whose structures were newly mapped into a flood zone should contact their insurance agent to ensure they have appropriate flood coverage. For a copy of the map for your property, contact the City of Santa Clarita Engineering Services Division at (661) 255-4942.
Why do FEMA flood maps change over time?
FEMA flood maps are updated through two main processes: FEMA-initiated updates and community-initiated revisions.
Each year, FEMA conducts studies of flood hazards in selected communities across the U.S. to create or revise flood hazard maps, focusing first on areas with significant development or where existing maps are outdated.
In addition, communities can request map revisions when they have new or more accurate flood hazard data. FEMA relies on local governments to report changes and submit technical data to ensure that flood maps remain accurate. These revisions typically involve updates to Special Flood Hazard Areas, such as changes to flood elevations or the boundaries of high-risk flood zones.
Requests that involve minor changes like roads or city boundaries are usually noted for future updates rather than immediate revision.
How does FEMA evaluate levees for flood insurance mapping?
FEMA previously recognized only levees that were fully certified and accredited. However, since 2011, FEMA has implemented a revised policy that allows for partial recognition based on the level of protection a levee provides.
What changed in the Newhall area flood zones and what should I provide to my insurance agent?
FEMA conducted flood studies for the Newhall area, resulting in the decertification of the railroad embankment previously credited as a levee. This led to the issuance of two Letter of Map Revisions (LOMRs) on February 7, 2014. As a result, areas south of Lyons Avenue are now classified as moderate or low-risk flood zones, while areas north of Lyons Avenue are now considered high-risk. To help secure appropriate grandfathering rates for flood insurance, property owners should provide their insurance agent with both LOMRs.
View the official LOMRs here:
General Program Information
How can I find out more information?
- NFIP Fact Sheet
- Flood Maps
- Answers to Tough Questions
- Flood Risks Across the Country
- West Coast Rainy Season
- Increased Cost of Compliance
- The National Flood Insurance Program website has more about flood insurance and flood protection
Or, contact the Engineering Services at (661) 255-4942.
Levee Information
What is a levee?
A levee a man-made structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control, or divert the flow of water so as to reduce risk from temporary flooding.
Are there levees in Santa Clarita’s floodplain?
Yes. These levees protect properties and must be certified per FEMA standards (Title 44, CFR §65.10) to be officially recognized for flood insurance purposes.
For more information on certified and accredited levee systems, visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ National Levee Database
Have any Santa Clarita levees been certified?
Not all levees have been certified under the updated FEMA methodology by the LA County Flood Control District. These updates will be reflected in revised flood maps.
For additional information about properties protected by levees, click on the links below.