Flood Zones
Flood Preparedness
Flooding in Belvedere may occur when heavy rainfall is combined with high tide. Storm runoff can also cause flooding to hillside homes. Preparation before a flood event can save property and lives.
Know Your Flood Zone
During strong storm events, heavy rain and coastal overtopping can lead to flooding in certain low lying areas of the City. This means that for the majority of properties in the Belvedere Lagoon and West Shore Road neighborhoods, you are in a special flood hazard area. FEMA has designated properties in these areas as being in either an AE or VE Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). To determine your property's SFHA, you may search by address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Building & Development in the Floodplain
Get a Permit before you Build! Properties located in the AE and VE SFHA Zones have special building requirements. Please contact the Building Department at (415) 435-3838 before you begin your building projects in order to insure compliance.
The following handouts were created to assist in your floodplain building project:
Insuring your Property against Flood Hazards
Certain areas of the City of Belvedere may be prone to flooding. Flooding is not covered by normal homeowners' insurance, and a separate flood policy is necessary. Flood insurance is available to the community through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a program backed by the Federal Government and FEMA.
More information is available through the the official site of the NFIP, FloodSmart.gov, or FEMA's NFIP website.
Protecting Natural Floodplain Functions
Belvedere is surrounded by water resources that should be protected. No pollutants down the storm drains; they drain to the Bay!
More information is available through the website of the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP). Belvedere is a member of MCSTOPPP.
San Francisco Bay Tidal Gauge
On June 30, 1854, the United States Coast Survey installed a self-recording tide gauge in San Francisco Bay. This station has measured the rise and fall of tides continuously ever since, even surviving the 1906 earthquake, making it the nation's oldest continually operating tidal observation station. Located in the Presidio, the gauge at Station ID 9414290 provides real-time tidal information of the San Francisco Bay.
Elevation Certificates
The City of Belvedere maintains records of the elevation certificates for all new building projects in the flood zone. To view these certificates, please visit City Hall.