In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided, as set forth in §§ 150.07 or 150.27(J), the following provisions are required:
(A) New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of flood waters shall be provided.
(B) New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or non-residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than 1 foot above the level of the base flood elevation. Structures located in A Zones may be flood-proofed to the flood protection level in lieu of elevation provided that all areas of the structure below the required elevation are watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, using structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this division are satisfied. Certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 150.26(G).
(C) (1) Manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved on sites: outside a manufactured home park or subdivision; in a new manufactured home park or subdivision; in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or, in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial damage as the result of a flood, must be elevated on a permanent foundation so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated no lower than 1 foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(2) Manufactured homes that are to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision that are not subject to the provisions of division (C)(1) above must be elevated on reinforced piers or other structural elements so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is no lower than 1 foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(3) Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement. For the purpose of this requirement, manufactured homes must be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement in accordance with the State of North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured/Mobile Homes, 1995 Edition, and any revision thereto 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 or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength. When the elevation of the chassis is above 36 inches in height an engineering certification is required.
(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 Administrator and the local Emergency Management Coordinator.
(D) A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions. Recreation vehicles placed on sites shall either:
(1) Be on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(E) New construction or substantial improvements of elevated buildings that include fully enclosed areas that are usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding shall be designed to preclude finished living space and be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters.
(1) Designs for complying with this requirement must either be certified by a professional engineer or architect or meet the following minimum criteria:
(a) Provide a minimum of 2 openings having a total net area of not less than 1 square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding;
(b) The bottom of all required openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic flow of flood waters in both directions.
(2) Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the living area (stairway or elevator).
(3) The interior portion of the enclosed area shall not be partitioned or finished into separate rooms, except to enclose storage areas.
(F) Prior to the issuance of a development permit for a temporary structure the following requirements must be met:
(1) All applicants must submit to the Administrator prior to the issuance of the development permit a plan for the removal of structure(s) in the event of a hurricane or flash flood warning notification. The plan must include the following information:
(a) A specified time period for which the temporary use will be permitted;
(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 a trucking company to ensure the availability of removal equipment when needed; and
(e) Designation, accompanied by documentation, of a location outside the flood plain to which the temporary structure will be moved.
(2) The above information shall be submitted in writing to the Administrator for review and written approval.
(G) When accessory structures (sheds, detached garages and the like) with a value of $3,000 or less are to be placed in the flood plain the following criteria shall be met:
(1) Accessory structures shall not be used for human habitation (including work, sleeping, living, cooking or restroom areas);
(2) Accessory structures shall be designed to have low flood damage potential;
(3) Accessory structures shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of flood waters;
(4) Accessory structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with § 150.40(A);
(5) Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be installed in accordance with § 150.40(D); and
(6) Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided below base flood elevation in conformance with § 150.41(E).
(H) Located within areas of special flood hazard established in § 150.07, are areas designated as floodways. The floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris and potential projectiles and has erosion potential. The following provisions shall apply within those areas:
(1) No encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments shall be permitted unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in the flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood. Certification and technical data shall be presented to the Administrator.
(3) No manufactured homes shall be permitted, except in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision. A replacement manufactured home may be placed on a lot in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision provided the anchoring and the elevation standards of § 150.41(C) and the encroachment standards of § 150.41(H)(1) are met.
(Ord. passed 10-8-2002)