(1) Residential Construction
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to two (2.0) feet 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 as proposed in § 151.22(a)(1), is satisfied.
(2) Nonresidential Construction
New construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to two (2.0) feet above the base flood level 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 floodproofed shall be maintained by the Floodplain Administrator.
(3) 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:
(i) A minimum of two openings on separate walls having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.
(ii) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade.
(iii) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(4) Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles
(i) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within Zone A on a community's FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. 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.
(ii) Require that manufactured homes substantially improved within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM on sites:
a. Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;
b. In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;
c. In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or
d. 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 lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to two (2.0) feet above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(iii) Require that manufactured homes be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision with Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community's FIRM that are not subject to the provisions of division (4) of this section be elevated so that either:
a. The lowest floor of the manufactured home is two (2.0) feet above the base flood elevation, or
b. The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(iv) All recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones Al-30, AH, and AE must either:
a. Be on site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days, or
b. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use. 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.
(5) Critical Facilities
Construction of new critical facilities shall be, to the extent possible, located outside the limits of the SFHA, preferably outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. Construction of new critical facilities may be permissible within the SFHA if feasible alternative sites are unavailable. Critical facilities constructed within the SFHA shall have the lowest floor elevated three (3.0) feet above the base flood elevation at the site. Floodproofing and sealing measures must be taken to ensure that toxic substances will not be displaced by or released into floodwaters. Access routes elevated to or above the level of the base flood elevation shall be provided to all critical facilities to the maximum extent possible.
(6) Accessory Structures
The construction of such structure must satisfy the following standards in unnumbered and numbered A Zones:
(i) Structure is low-valued and represents a minimal investment.
(ii) Structure shall be small in size, not to exceed six hundred (600) square feet in area.
(iii) Structure shall be unfinished on the interior.
(iv) Structure can be used only for parking and limited storage.
(v) Structure shall not be used for human habitation (including work, sleeping, living, cooking, or restroom areas).
(vi) Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment must be elevated to two (2.0) feet above the BFE or floodproofed.
(vii) Structure is constructed and placed on building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
(viii) Structure is designed to have low flood damage potential, such as constructed with flood resistance materials.
(ix ) Structure is firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(x) Floodway requirements must be met in construction of the structure.
(xi) Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided below the BFE.
(7) No necessary structures are allowed in V Zones except for "disposable" sheds. If constructed, fill cannot be used for structural support and the areas below the BFE must remain free of obstruction or be constructed with no supporting breakaway walls, open latticework, or insect screening. All accessory structures are to be located so as not to cause damage to adjacent and nearby structures.
(Ord. 3-06-07-1, passed 3-6-07)