The National Flood Insurance Program has published a new FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map) for the City of San Pablo effective June 16, 2009. The new map is similar to the previous (2004) map, but has shifted some of the 100 year flood zone boundaries. The City has requested that FEMA re-evaluate the 100 year flood boundaries shown on the new map; in the interim the new 2009 map applies . See a more detailed map at City Hall-Building 3, at 13831 San Pablo Avenue; Mon-Fri, 7:40 amto 4:30 pm.

The map forms the basis for meeting floodplain management requirements, will determine which buildings must carry flood insurance and will assist in the calculation of flood insurance premium rates. Purchase of flood insurance is mandatory for buildings inSpecial Flood Hazard Areaswhen a federally regulated lender holds the mortgage and any contents on the building as collateral for the loan. The "Special Flood Hazard Area" also titled "Zone A", "Zone AH", "Zone AE" or "Zone AO", is the area of the 100 year flood zone. Depending on the lender's policy, coverage is required in the amount of the loan or for replacement cost.

To find out if your property is in the new Special Flood Hazard Area, you can look it up on the map. If only a portion of your property falls within Zone A, please contact us at 510.215.3030 or stop by City Hall - Building 3 to find out if structures located on your property fall inside or outside of the flood zone. If structures do not lie within Zone A, you may not be required to carry flood insurance.

For more information, check the National Flood Insurance Program website at http://www.fema.gov/nfip/, or call them at 1-800-427-4661.

San Pablo's housing programs strive to enhance the quality of life for San Pablo residents by revitalizing the existing housing stock, and creating more homeownership opportunities. One component of the program is the City’s two First-Time Homebuyer Programs that are designed to assist low and moderate income households.

CalHome First-Time Homebuyer Program

The CalHome First-Time Homebuyer Program is designed to assist very-low and low income households that earn up to 80% of the area median income (AMI) purchase a home. This program is administered by Mechanics Bank, our funding partner as the first step in getting pre-screened for eligibility. For more information call Sonya Wyland at Mechanics Bank 510.669.3014 or review our brochure. Visit the State of California web site to see if you meet the income criteria based on household size to qualify for up to $175,000.

RDA First-Time Homebuyer Program

The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Pablo’s (Agency) First-Time Homebuyers Program offers up to $200,000 for the purchase of a home in the City of San Pablo to low, and moderate-income, first-time homebuyers. Qualified applicants who successfully purchase a home will be required to pay back this loan when the property is sold, transferred, or 30 years after purchase, whichever comes first. For more information, click here.

Paint Rebate Program
for Low and Moderate Income Households

For more information on our Paint Rebate Program and Application, click here.

Residential Rehabilitation Program

While providing the issue of building permits and detailed inspections of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing projects, Building Inspection also investigates and responds to all citizen complaints concerning construction or safety issues of structures throughout the city. As of February 15, 2005, new and redevelopment projects that create or replace more than one acre of impervious area need a C.3 Permit prior to Building Permit issuance. Impervious areas include any surfaces that do not allow rain to soak into the ground. The threshold drops from one acre to 10,000 square feet effective August 15, 2006.

Simple building permits may now be processed by fax or email by sending a copy of the scope of work and the contract to the attention of the city's Permit Technican. It is essential that you review our permit requirements prior to submittal. Call 510.215.3030 or 510.215.3060 and see helpful documents listed below:

• Plan Review and Permit Requirements - General Information
• Building, Plumbing and Electrical Permit Details
• Public Records Request Form
• Blueprint for a Clean Bay