(A) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least 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 subsection is satisfied.
(B) Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor including basement) elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice as outlined in this subsection. A record of such certification which includes the specific elevation in relation to mean sea level to which such structures are flood proofed shall be submit to the Floodplain Administrator verifying that the standard of this subsection is satisfied.
(C) Enclosures. New construction and substantial improvements, with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for 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. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) 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;
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(3) 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.
(1) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within Zone A on the Oklahoma County FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage and have the bottom of the I-beam elevated at least 36 inches above grade or at least one foot above the base flood elevation. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. 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.
(2) Require that manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within Zone AE on the Oklahoma County FIRM on sites (i) outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision, (ii) in a new manufactured home park or subdivision, (iii) in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, or (iv) in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as a result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the bottom of the I-beam for the manufactured home is elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces. A licensed installer shall install the home in accordance with state law and compliance herewith shall be certified in writing to the Floodplain Administrator by said installer prior to habitation of the manufactured home.
(3) Require that manufactured homes be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within Zone AE on the Oklahoma County FIRM that are not subject to the provisions of division (D) of this section be elevated so that the bottom of the I-beam of the manufactured home is at least one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. A licensed installer shall install the home in accordance with 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. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A and AE on the Oklahoma County FIRM either:
(1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(2) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(3) Meet the permit requirements of § 156.46, and the elevation and anchoring requirements for "manufactured homes" in division (D) of this section. 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 Oklahoma County 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 at least one foot above the BFE;
(5) Structures shall be small in size, not exceed 600 square feet in size;
(7) The structure shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters;
(8) The structure shall be designed to have low flood damage potential and constructed with flood resistance materials;
(9) The structure shall be considered low in value, designed to have low flood damage potential and constructed with flood resistance materials;
(10) The structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement;
(11) Floodway requirements must be met in the construction of the structure;
(12) Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided below the BEE; and be placed on opposing walls with the net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of the size of the footprint of the structure (flood vents);
(13) The openings (flood vents) shall be located no higher than one foot above grade;
(14) The openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters; and
(15) The structure shall be located so as not to cause damage to adjacent and nearby structures.
(Prior Code, § 13-717) (Am. Ord. 1350, passed 10-15-85; Am. Ord. 1834, passed 11-17-09; Am. Ord. 1974, passed 8-6-19) Penalty, see § 156.99