§ 153.45 STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SHALLOW FLOODING (AO AND AH ZONES).
   (A)   Located within the special flood hazard areas established in § 153.07 of this chapter are areas designated as shallow flooding areas. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate.
   (B)   Therefore, the following provisions, in addition to those set forth in §§ 153.40 and 153.41 of this chapter, apply.
      (1)   All new construction and substantial improvements of residential and non-residential buildings shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to at least one foot above as many feet as the depth number specified on the FIRMs, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade. If no flood depth number is specified on the FIRM, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated to at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. Openings sufficient to facilitate automatic equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls shall be provided in accordance with standards of § 153.41 of this chapter.
      (2)   All new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential buildings may be floodproofed in lieu of elevation. The structure together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities must be floodproofed and designed water-tight to be completely floodproofed to at least one foot above the flood depth number specified on the FIRM, with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. If no depth number is specified on the FIRM, the structure shall be floodproofed to at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. A state registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of this chapter and shall provide such certification to the Administrator as set forth above and as required in accordance with § 153.41 of this chapter.
      (3)   Adequate drainage paths shall be provided around slopes to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures.
(Ord. 703, passed 5-24-2010)