(A) Residential and non-residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential or non-residential structure shall have the reference level, including basement, elevated no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 153.020 of this chapter.
(B) Manufactured homes.
(1) New and replacement manufactured homes shall be elevated so that the reference level of the manufactured home is no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 153.020 of this chapter.
(2) Manufactured homes shall be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement, either by certified engineered foundation system, or in accordance with the most current edition of the State of North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured Homes adopted by the Commissioner of Insurance pursuant to G.S. § 143-143.15. Additionally, when the elevation would be met by an elevation of the chassis 36 inches or less above the grade at the site, the chassis shall be supported by reinforced piers. When the elevation of the chassis is above 36 inches in height, an engineering certification is required.
(3) All enclosures or skirting below the lowest floor shall meet the requirements of division (D) below.
(4) An evacuation plan must be developed for evacuation of all residents of all new, substantially improved or substantially damaged manufactured home parks or subdivisions located within flood-prone areas. This plan shall be filed with and approved by the Floodplain Administrator and the local Emergency Management Coordinator.
(C) Fill. The placement of fill in the Special Flood Hazard Area is prohibited.
(D) Elevated buildings. Fully enclosed areas of new construction and substantially improved structures, which are below the base flood elevation, are not permitted.
(E) Additions/improvements. Additions and/or improvements to a structure, when the addition and/or improvements, in combination with or without any interior modifications to the existing structure, are:
(1) Not a substantial improvement, only the addition and/or improvements must comply with the standards for new construction.
(2) A substantial improvement, both the existing structure and the addition and/or improvements must comply with the standards for new construction.
(F) Recreational vehicles. Recreational vehicles shall either:
(1) Be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and 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 has no permanently attached additions); or
(2) Meet all the requirements for new construction, including those outlined in § 153.066(A) and (B).
(G) Temporary structures.
(1) Temporary structures shall be elevated so that the reference level of the lowest floor is no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 153.020 of this chapter.
(2) Prior to the issuance of a floodplain development permit for a temporary structure, the applicant must submit to the Floodplain Administrator a plan for the removal of such structure(s) in the event of a hurricane, flash flood or other type of flood warning notification. The following information shall be submitted in writing to the Floodplain Administrator for review and written approval:
(a) A specified time period for which the temporary use will be permitted. Time specified may not exceed 3 months, renewable up to 1 year;
(b) The name, address, and phone number of the individual responsible for the removal of the temporary structure;
(c) The time frame prior to the event at which a structure will be removed (i.e., minimum of 72 hours before landfall of a hurricane or immediately upon flood warning notification);
(d) A copy of the contract or other suitable instrument with the entity responsible for physical removal of the structure; and
(e) Designation, accompanied by documentation, of a location outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, to which the temporary structure will be moved.
(H) Accessory structures. When accessory structures (sheds, detached garages, and the like) are to be placed within a Special Flood Hazard Area, the following criteria shall be met:
(1) Accessory structures shall be elevated so that the reference level of the lowest floor is no lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation, as defined in § 153.020 of this chapter.
(2) Accessory structures shall not be used for human habitation (including working, sleeping, living, cooking or restroom areas);
(3) Accessory structures shall not be temperature-controlled;
(4) Accessory structures shall be designed to have low flood damage potential;
(5) Accessory structures shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters;
(6) Accessory structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with the provisions of § 153.065(A);
(7) All service facilities such as electrical shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of § 153.065(B); and
(8) An elevation certificate.
(a) An accessory structure with a footprint less than 150 square feet that satisfies the criteria outlined above does not require an elevation certificate.
(b) Elevation certifications are required for all other accessory structures in accordance with § 153.041(C)(1).
(Ord. passed 10-16-2007; Am. Ord. passed 4-15-2008)