In all areas of special flood hazard, the following provisions are required.
(A) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including a basement) elevated at a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the standard of this division (A) is satisfied.
(B) Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including a basement) elevated at a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the standard of this division (B) is satisfied.
(C) Enclosures.
(1) New construction and substantial improvements with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement, and which are subject to flooding, shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters.
(2) Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria.
(a) A minimum of two openings, having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding, shall be provided.
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be not higher than one foot above grade.
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(D) Manufactured homes. All manufactured homes to be placed anywhere within the city within Zones A and AE on the county’s FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage and have the bottom of the I-beam elevated at or above the BFE. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces. The home shall be installed by a licensed installer according to state law, and compliance herewith shall be certified in writing to the Floodplain Administrator by said installer prior to habitation of the manufactured home.
(E) Recreational vehicles.
(1) Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A and AE on the county’s FIRM must either:
(a) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(b) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(c) Meet the permit requirements of § 154.27 of this chapter and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in division (D) above.
(2) A recreational vehicle is READY FOR HIGHWAY USE if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect-type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.
(F) Accessory structures. Accessory structures to be placed on sites within Zones A and AE on the county’s FIRM shall comply with the following.
(1) The structure shall be unfinished on the interior.
(2) The structure shall be used only for parking and limited storage.
(3) The structure shall not be used for human habitation. Prohibited activities or uses include, but are not limited to, working, sleeping, living, cooking or restroom use.
(4) Service facilities, such as electrical and heating equipment, must be elevated to or above the BFE.
(5) The structure shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
(6) The structure shall be designed to have low flood damage potential and constructed with flood-resistance materials.
(7) The structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(8) Floodway requirements must be met in the construction of the structure.
(9) Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided below the BFE.
(10) The structure shall be located so as not to cause damage to adjacent and nearby structures.
(Prior Code, § 12-417) (Ord. 2011-01, passed 1-3-2011) Penalty, see § 154.99