(A) Residential structures.
(1) In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 153.041(C).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) or the latest edition thereof adopted by the Commonwealth, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 through 405, as amended, shall be utilized, where they are more restrictive.
(B) Nonresidential structures.
(1) In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
(a) Is floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
(b) Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy:
(2) In A Zones, where no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 153.041(C).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled Floodproofing Regulations published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above referenced standards. There should be a statement submitted with the permit application and a statement submitted with the as-built floodproofing certificate prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
(5) Any nonresidential structure that will be floodproofed must submit the following to the Floodplain Administrator along with the nonresidential floodproofing certificate and prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy:
(a) An inspection and maintenance plan detailing the annual maintenance of floodproofed components ensuring that all components will operate properly under flood conditions. Components that must be inspected include at a minimum:
1. Mechanical equipment such as sump pumps and generators;
2. Flood shields and closures;
3. Walls and wall penetrations; and
4. Levees and berms (as applicable).
(b) Flood emergency operation plan detailing the procedures to be followed during a flooding event, and must include information pertaining to how all components will operate properly under all conditions, including power failures. The design professional must produce the plan. An adequate plan must include the following:
1. An established chain of command and responsibility with leadership responsibilities clearly defined for all aspects of the plan;
2. A procedure for notification of necessary parties when flooding threatens and flood warnings are issued. Personnel required to be at the building should have a planned and safe means of ingress and should have no other emergency response duties during a flood event. Alternates should be assigned in the event that the primary persons responsible are unable to complete their assigned duties under the plan;
3. A list of specific duties assigned to ensure that all responsibilities are addressed expeditiously. The locations of materials necessary to properly install all floodproofing components must be included in the list;
4. An evacuation plan for all personnel or occupants; those without duties for the flood emergency as well as those with duties for implementing the plan. All possible ingress and egress routes must be identified;
5. A periodic training and exercise program to keep personnel and occupants aware of their duties and responsibilities. Training drills should be held at least once a year and should be coordinated with community officials; and
6. The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) or the latest revision thereof as adopted by the Commonwealth, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 through 405, as amended, shall be utilized, where they are more restrictive.
(C) Space below the lowest floor.
(1) Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term FULLY ENCLOSED SPACE also includes crawl spaces.
(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 net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space installed on two separate walls;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(D) Historic structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation that would constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this chapter, must comply with all ordinance requirements that do not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure. Documentation that a specific ordinance requirement will cause removal of the structure from the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic places must be obtained from the Secretary of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption from ordinance requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
(E) Accessory structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements.
(1) The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or activity.
(2) Floor area shall not exceed 200 square feet.
(3) The structure will have a low damage potential.
(4) The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of flood waters.
(5) Power lines, wiring and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation.
(6) Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers and the like are prohibited.
(7) Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
(8) The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. 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 net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers and the like or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(9) For accessory structures that are 200 square feet or larger in area (footprint) and that are below the base flood elevation, a variance is required as set forth in §§ 153.105 and 153.106. If a variance is granted, a signed declaration of land restriction (nonconversion agreement) shall be recorded on the property deed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
(Ord. 01-2021, passed 2-15-2021)