(a) General. Permits are required in order to determine whether all new construction or substantial improvements are:
(1) Located in an identified Floodplain, Floodway or other special flood hazard area.
(2) Designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
(3) Constructed with material and utility equipment resistant to flood damage as outlined in FEMA Technical Bulletin 2 or the most recent revision thereof.
(4) Constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(5) Constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(6) To comply with WV State Code §11-3-3a. concerning County Assessor "Building or real property improvement notice"
(7) Approved by County Health Department for Water and Sewer to assure facilities are designed or located in compliance with the flood damage reduction requirements of this ordinance.
(b) Basic Format. The basic format of the permit shall include the following:
(1) Name and address of applicant.
(2) Name and address of owner of land on which proposed development is to occur.
(3) Names, addresses, and valid WV license numbers of all contractors working at the building site, or affidavits stating that work is being performed by individuals exempt from contractor licensing as set forth in Title 28, Series 2, Section 3.9 (b) of the West Virginia Code of state regulations or the most recent revision thereof.
(4) A description of Site location sufficient to locate the project including tax map and parcel number and most recent deed book and page number.
(5) A standard site plan showing size and location of the proposed development as well as any existing buildings or structures. The site plan shall also show all adjacent roads and watercourses with direction of flow, the lowest adjacent grade to the proposed foundation and/or toe of fill, the Base Flood Elevation and the location of the floodway boundary when applicable.
(6) An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to pay any and all fees associated with the permitting process as set forth in Section 1731.07(i) hereof.
(7) An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to allow authorized representatives of floodplain management programs access to the development to inspect for compliance.
(8) The contract required by WV Code of State Regulations, Title 28, Series 4, and all addendums to the contract(s) shall be presented to the Floodplain Administrator for review within five (5) business days of contract signing. The City of Bridgeport does not require and will not keep copies of the contracts or addendums. Failure to present contract or addendums for review shall void the permit. If a licensed contractor is not involved, or the work is of an aggregate value of less than ten thousand dollars including materials and labor, a brief written description of proposed work and the estimated value will suffice.
(c) Elevation and Flood Proofing Information. All applicants are encouraged to exceed the minimum elevation requirements contained herein. Flood insurance rates can be lowered significantly by increasing the elevation of the lowest floor above the freeboard height required by this article.
Depending on the type of structure involved, the following information shall also be included in the application for work within the Special flood hazard area:
(1) For structures to be elevated two feet above the Base Flood Elevation:
A. A plan showing the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.
B. A determination of elevations of the Base Flood, existing ground, proposed finished ground and lowest floor, certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Surveyor.
C. Plans showing the method of elevating the proposed structure including details of proposed fills, pile structures, retaining walls, foundations, erosion protection measures, etc. When required by the Floodplain Administrator, a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect shall prepare these plans.
D. Plans showing the methods used to protect utilities (including sewer, water, telephone, electric, gas, etc.) from flooding to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation at the building site.
E. During the course of construction, as soon as the basic elements of the lowest floor are in place and before further vertical construction, it is highly recommended that the applicant check for error by obtaining elevation data completed by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Surveyor certifying the height of the lowest floor. If a mistake in elevation has been made this is the best time to correct the error.
F. A finished construction elevation certificate shall be prepared by a Licensed Professional Surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications. The elevation certificate shall confirm that the structure in question, together with attendant utilities is elevated in compliance with permit conditions.
G. A non-conversion agreement shall be signed by the applicant whenever the City of Bridgeport determines that the area below the first floor could be converted to a non-conforming use (generally applies to enclosed areas below base flood elevation that are 5 ft. high or more). This agreement shall state:
1. The area below Base Flood Elevation shall not be converted for use other than for parking, building access or for allowable storage as detailed in this article.
2. The applicant agrees to notify prospective buyers of the existence of the non-conversion agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to transfer the agreement at closing to the new owner via notarized signature, a copy of all new agreements shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. Failure to transfer the agreement and provide a signed copy to the Floodplain Administrator shall subject the violator to the penalties set forth in Section 1731.08(c).
(2) For structures to be flood proofed to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation (nonresidential structures only):
All applicants are encouraged to exceed the minimum flood proofing requirements contained herein. Flood insurance rates can be lowered significantly by increasing the level of flood proofing above the height required by this ordinance. In order to obtain an "elevation credited" flood insurance rate on dry flood proofed buildings, flood proofing must extend at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.
A. Plans showing details of all flood proofing measures, prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer, showing the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.
B. A determination of elevations of the Base Flood, existing ground, proposed finished ground, lowest floor, and flood proofing limits; certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Surveyor.
C. A Flood proofing Certificate, FEMA 81-65, as revised by FEMA, shall be prepared by the Registered Professional Engineer who prepared the plans in (1) above, stating that the finished structure, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities is designed so that:
1. The structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water from the lowest structural element to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation.
2. The structure will withstand the hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, buoyant, impact, and other forces resulting from the flood depths, velocities, pressures, and other factors associated with the Base Flood.
(3) For Appurtenant structures constructed of flood resistant materials used solely for parking of vehicles or limited storage, (Appurtenant Structures only)
A. A site plan prepared by a Licensed Professional Surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications showing elevation of existing ground, proposed finished ground and lowest floor. The plan shall also show details of proposed flood resistant materials usage and the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed. The location of the floodway boundary shall be represented on the plan when a floodway is present on the site.
B. An elevation certificate, based on finished construction, must be prepared by a Licensed Professional Surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications. The elevation certificate confirm that the structure in question, together with attendant utilities is designed so that:
1. Flood resistant materials as detailed in FEMA Technical Bulletin 2 are used in the construction of the structure from the lowest structural element to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation and that all utilities are located at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation.
2. Hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls are equalized by allowing for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement shall 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 no 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.
C. In addition, the applicant shall sign a non-conversion agreement and notify prospective buyers of the existence of the agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to transfer the non-conversion agreement to any new owner at closing via notarized signature. A signed copy of the transferred non-conversion agreement shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. Failure to transfer the agreement and provide a signed copy to the Floodplain Administrator shall subject the violator to the penalties set forth in Section 1731.08(c).
(d) Site Plan Criteria.
(1) Site plans are required for all development, new construction and substantial improvements determined to be located in a special flood hazard area and all proposed Subdivisions and Manufactured Home Parks. These proposals shall be reviewed by the Floodplain Administrator to assure that they are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
(2) The owner or developer shall submit a preliminary site plan to the Floodplain Administrator that includes the following information:
A. A map showing the location of the proposed subdivision and/or development with respect to special flood hazard areas, proposed lot sites, and fills.
B. Name of Registered Professional Engineer, Licensed Professional Surveyor or other qualified person responsible for providing the information required in this section.
C. Where the subdivision or manufactured home park lie partially or completely in the special flood hazard areas, the plan map shall include detailed information giving the location and elevation of proposed roads, public utilities and building sites. All such maps shall also show contours at intervals of two (2) or five (5) feet depending upon the slope of the land and identify accurately the boundaries of the special flood hazard areas. A Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Surveyor shall certify the site plan.
D. All subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments which are proposed to take place either fully or partially within the approximated floodplain and which are greater than ten (10) lots or two (2) acres, whichever is the lesser, shall include base flood elevation data and shall delineate a floodway when directed to do so by the Floodplain Administrator.
1. When a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) is available from FEMA, the data contained in that study shall be used to substantiate the base flood.
2. If a FEMA Flood Insurance Study is not available the required data may be available from an authoritative source, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resource Conservation Service or state and local water resource department.
3. If the required data is not available from other sources the applicant shall develop the technical data using detailed methodologies comparable to those contained in a Flood Insurance Study. This data shall be prepared and certified by a Registered Professional Engineer, who shall certify that the methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts.
E. Where the subdivision or other development site lies partially in the special flood hazard area and all proposed development including fill will take place on natural grade a significant vertical distance above the approximated floodplain area (Zone "A") boundary depicted on the map, development of detailed Base Flood Elevation data may not be necessary. In these cases the site plan for the proposed development must show contours at intervals of two (2) or five (5) feet, depending on the slope, and clearly delineate the area to be developed and the location of the special flood hazard boundary area as scaled from the FEMA map. A Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Professional Surveyor shall certify the site plan.
(e) Restrictions to Subdivision of Land in Special Flood Hazard Areas. Subdivision of land in the special flood hazard area shall result in lots that include a buildable portion outside of the special flood hazard area and be served by streets within the proposed subdivision having surfaces not lower than 1 foot below the elevation of the line defining the special flood hazard area limits. All new structures shall be sited on the portion of the subdivided lot that is located outside of the special flood hazard area. (7-9-12)