Floodplain Management

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The primary responsibilities and duties of the City of Fairfield Floodplain Management include:

Administer the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) policies to protect public health and safety;
Provide information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS);
Provide information about the flood threat within the City;
Educate and assist the citizens about floodplain development and ways to protect themselves from flooding and flood damage;
Reduce damage to buildings and contents; and
Protect the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain.

Per the notice provided by FEMA, all Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (CLOMR-F) applications shall be paused if submitted after July 1, 2023.

National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a FEMA-administered program created by Congress in 1968 to mitigate future flood losses through sound, community-enforced building, and zoning ordinances, and to provide access to federally backed flood insurance protection for property owners. The City of Fairfield began participation in the NFIP back in 1984.

FEMA's Website

FEMA Elevation Certificate

Community Rating System

The City of Fairfield participates in a program sponsored by the NFIP known as the Community Rating System. This program rewards communities that promote flood awareness and implement flood protection measures. As part of the City of Fairfield's participation in the Community Rating System, property owners within the City who carry flood insurance receive a discount on their flood insurance premiums.

If you have any questions about the City's participation in the NFIP and/or the Community Rating System, please call (707) 428-7485.

Flood Zone Information

The Public Works Department provides flood zone assistance for properties located within the City of Fairfield.

There are numerous creeks that are located within the City of Fairfield that have a 100-year floodplain associated with them, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A 100-year floodplain, by FEMA's definition, is an area that has a 1% chance of any given year of being inundated. Lenders typically require that flood insurance be carried on homes that are located within a 100-year floodplain. If you would like to find out if your property is located within the 100-year floodplain, you can stop by City Hall and speak to a staff person at Public Works.

These creeks are as follows:

American Canyon Creek- located south of Interstate 80, west of Lopes Road
Dan Wilson Creek- located north and south of Interstate 80, east of Suisun Valley Road, and Pittman Road
Green Valley Creek- located north and south of Interstate 80, west of Green Valley Road, and Pittman Road
Jameson Canyon Creek- located south of Interstate 80, west of Lopes Road
Laurel Creek- located through Paradise Valley, east of Dover Avenue
Ledgewood Creek- located north & south of Interstate 80, west of Oliver Road, and east & west of Beck Ave
McCoy Creek- located south of the McCoy Basin, west of Walters Road
Pennsylvania Avenue Creek- a concrete-lined ditch located alongside Pennsylvania Avenue
Soda Springs Creek- a tributary to Laurel Creek, just northwest of Paradise Valley
Suisun Creek- located east of Dan Wilson Creek
Union Creek- located in the northeastern part of the City, north of Travis Air Force Base
Union Avenue Creek- located just east of Union Avenue

These creeks are shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the City of Fairfield, prepared by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A copy of these maps is available for use at both the downtown library and at the Public Works Department within City Hall, located at 1000 Webster Street, 3rd floor.

Flood Hazard Information

The City of Fairfield has an annual flood awareness bulletin inserted into the utility bill every year around the beginning of the rainy season. This bulletin is available for download below.

Fairfield has historically been prone to periodic flooding dating back to 1982, 1983, 1986, 1996, 1998, and most recently in 2005. Thanks to the various flood protection projects such as the Fairfield Streams Project completed in the early 1990s, several areas alongside creeks that historically flooded were removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Now, most of Fairfield is outside of the SFHA, however, there are a few areas in the city that are still within designated SFHAs, as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some areas within Fairfield that are prone to flooding include properties adjacent to isolated reaches of Green Valley Creek, Dan Wilson Creek, Suisun Creek, Ledgewood Creek, and Union Creek.

Property Protection Measures

In 1971, the City passed an ordinance that regulates new development within the SFHA. Anyone planning to grade or build near these flood-prone areas should contact the Public Works Department to find out if the property is within an SFHA. Always check with the Building Division to see if you need a permit before you build on your property. If you suspect an illegal building or grading in the SFHA, please contact the Public Works Department at (707) 428-7485.

For properties within the SFHA, it is wise to consider protecting properties from flooding. Some protection measures to consider are: (a) Locating structures outside of the SFHA, and (b) Elevating new structures using engineered fill or special foundations.

If a flood is imminent, existing buildings prone to flooding can be protected by sandbagging areas subject to the entry of water. You may also want to consider moving valuables and furniture to higher areas in the home if possible.

Flood Insurance

Fairfield joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1984. By participating in the program, homeowners are able to purchase flood insurance in case their home is damaged from a flood.

Note: Flooding is not covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Flood insurance is available for the building itself as well as for the building contents. Regardless of location, flood insurance is available to all property owners in the City. Residents who live near a stream channel that is subject to flooding are encouraged to purchase flood insurance. If you have a mortgage on a building within the SFHA, your lender may require flood insurance. Note that there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.

Fairfield participates in the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS), which is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the floodplain management activities.

Through the City’s active involvement in the CRS program, numerous floodplain management activities are being implemented. Because of this, properties within the SFHA now receive a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums, (5% discount for properties outside of the SFHA).

Drainage System Maintenance

The City’s drainage system consists of two elements: natural channels (creeks and streams) and the constructed storm drain system (storm drain pipes). Maintenance of these elements is important in keeping the system’s flood-carrying and storage capacity at a high level. Maintenance refers to the removal of silt, vegetation, trash, and other types of debris from all system elements in an effort to maintain adequate capacity.

By way of City ordinance, it is illegal to dump the trash, oils, or any other material in natural waterways or the City’s storm drainage system. Dispose of refuse only in designated areas. If you witness illegal dumping anywhere within the city limits, especially the City’s storm drainage system, contact the Fairfield Police switchboard at (707) 428-7300. By adhering to these guidelines, you can help reduce flooding within the city.

City Services

Fairfield offers services to the community which includes flood zone determinations and technical advice. Flood zone determinations are available to anyone interested in knowing if a property is within an SFHA. For a nominal fee of $20, the City will provide a letter indicating the flood zone for a particular property. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are also available for public use at the Fairfield-Suisun Public Library. Technical advice including site visits on how to best protect your property from flooding and general drainage-related problems is available to property owners within the City. To set up an appointment, please contact the Public Works Department.

Elevation Certificates shall be copied to the Public Works Department for all existing structures located in the floodplain undergoing FEMA’s Letter of Map Revision process.

To take advantage of the city services, come to the 3rd floor of City Hall at 1000 Webster Street, between 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, or call the Public Works Department at (707) 428-7485. Please be advised that flood determinations will not be made over the phone; determinations will only be made in person or by facsimile. The fax number for the Public Works Department is (707) 428-7607.

Flood Safety Tips

Resources