Section
1442.01 Purpose; application of chapter
1442.02 Elevations for residential and nonresidential structures in Floodplain Districts
1442.03 Design and construction standards
1442.04 Special flood damage control provisions for manufactured homes and manufactured home parks in the designated Floodplain Districts
1442.05 Existing structures in designated Floodplain Districts
1442.06 Variances
1442.07 Building permit application requirements
1442.08 Review of permit applications by County Conservation District
1442.09 Other building permit issuance requirements
1442.10 Start of construction
1442.11 Supplementary definitions for designated Floodplain District provisions
1442.12 Dangerous development
1442.13 Special permits
CROSS-REFERENCE
Erosion and sedimentation control, see Ch. 1224
Floodplain Conservation Districts, see Ch. 1286
STATUTORY REFERENCE
Interference with watercourses, see 53 P.S. §§ 57067 et seq.
Sewers and drains, see 53 P.S. §§ 57401 et seq.
Widening and deepening watercourses, see 53 P.S. § 7450
In order to prevent excessive damage to buildings and structures due to flooding conditions, the following provisions shall apply to all proposed construction or development occurring in any of the Floodplain Districts designated in the Township Zoning Code.
(Ord. 529, passed 7-15-1981)
(a) Residential structures. Within any designated Floodway (FW), Flood-Fringe (FF) or General Floodplain (FA) District, the lowest floor (including the basement) of any new or improved residential structure shall be at least one and one-half feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
(b) Nonresidential structures.
(1) Within any designated Floodway (FW), Flood-Fringe (FF) or General Floodplain (FA) District, the lowest floor (including the basement) of any new or new or improved nonresidential structure shall be at least one and one-half feet above the 100-year flood elevation or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed by such structure shall remain either completely or essentially dry during any flood up to that height.
(2) Any structure, or part thereof, which will not be completely or adequately elevated, shall be designed and constructed to be completely or essentially dry in accordance with the standards contained in the publication entitled Floodproofing Regulations, or some other equivalent standard, for that type of construction.
(Ord. 529, passed 7-15-1981)
(a) Drainage facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater run-off in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall ensure drainage at all points along streets and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess run-off onto adjacent properties.
(b) Sanitary sewer facilities. All new or replacement sanitary sewer facilities, and private package sewage treatment plants (including all pumping stations and collector systems), shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into the flood waters. In addition, they should be located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage and impairment.
(c) Water facilities. All new or replacement water facilities shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and be located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
(d) Streets. The finished elevation of proposed new streets shall be not more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
(e) Utilities. All utilities, such as gas lines and electrical and telephone systems, being placed in flood-prone areas, should be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
(f) Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1) Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points;
(2) Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills shall not be permitted;
(3) Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring or settling;
(4) Be not steeper than one vertical to two horizontal, unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to and approved by the Township Engineer; and
(5) Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
(g) Placement of buildings and structures. All buildings and structures shall be constructed and placed on the lot so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water. In so doing, consideration shall be given to their effect upon the flow and height of flood waters.
(h) Anchoring.
(1) All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse or other movement, thus reducing the threat to life and property and decreasing the possibility of the blockage of bridge openings and other restricted sections of watercourses.
(2) All air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks located at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation.
(I) Floors, walls and ceilings. Where located at or below the regulatory flood elevation:
(1) Wood flooring shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain, without incurring structural damage to the building;
(2) Plywood shall be of any “exterior” or “marine” grade and of a water-resistant or waterproof variety;
(3) Walls and ceilings in nonresidential structures shall have sufficient wet strength and be so installed as to survive inundation; and
(4) Window frames, door frames, door jambs and other components shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.
(j) Electrical systems.
(1) All electric water heaters, electric furnaces, electric air conditioning and ventilating systems and other electrical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) No electrical distribution panel shall be allowed at an elevation less than three feet above the level of the 100-year flood elevation.
(3) Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.
(k) Plumbing.
(1) Water heaters, furnaces and other mechanical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be constructed within any designated Floodplain District.
(3) Water supply systems and sanitary sewerage systems shall be designed to preclude infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters.
(4) All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to preclude the infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water infiltration occurs.
(l) Paints and adhesives. Where located at or below the regulatory flood elevation:
(1) Adhesives shall have a bonding strength that is unaffected by inundation (i.e., “marine” or water-resistant quality);
(2) All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets and the like) shall be sealed with a “marine” or water-resistant quality adhesive or similar product; and
(3) Paints or other finishes shall be capable of surviving inundation (i.e., “marine” or water-resistant quality).
(m) Storage. No materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or, in time of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal or plant life, shall be stored below the regulatory flood elevation.
(Ord. 529, passed 7-15-1981)
(a) All manufactured homes and any additions thereto shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement by providing over-the-top and frame ties to ground anchors in accordance with the American National Standards Institute and National Fire Protection Association Standards as specified in Pa. Flood Plain Management Act, 1978, Act 176 and the National Flood Insurance Program, or other appropriate standards, such as the following.
(1) Over-the-top ties shall be provided at each of the four corners of the manufactured home, with two additional ties per side at intermediate locations for units 50 feet or more in length, and one additional tie per side for units less than 50 feet in length.
(2) Frame ties shall be provided at each corner of the manufactured home, with five additional ties per side at intermediate locations for units 50 feet or more in length, and four additional ties per side for units less than 50 feet in length.
(3) All components of the anchoring system shall be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds per square inch.
(b) All manufactured homes and any additions thereto shall also be elevated and on a permanent foundation in accordance with the following requirements.
(1) The stands or lots shall be elevated on compacted fill or on pilings so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home will be at least one and one-half feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
(2) Adequate surface drainage shall be provided.
(3) Adequate access for a hauler shall be provided.
(4) Where pilings are used for elevation, the lots shall be large enough to permit steps; piling foundations shall be placed in stable soil not more than ten feet apart; reinforcement shall be provided for pilings that will extend for six feet or more above the ground level.
(c) An evacuation plan indicating alternate vehicular access and escape routes shall be filed with the appropriate township officials for manufactured home parks and manufactured home subdivisions where appropriate.
(d) No manufactured home shall be placed in any designated Floodway District or area.
(Ord. 529, passed 7-15-1981; Ord. 623, passed 5-20-1987; Ord. 628, passed 7-15-1987)
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