(A) Generally. Where feasible, accessory structures and garages should be located out of the floodplain or elevated to or above the flood protection elevation. When these measures are not feasible the following apply:
(1) The floor of the structure must be at or above grade;
(2) The structure must be located, oriented, and constructed so as to minimize flood damage; and
(3) The structure must be firmly anchored to prevent flotation.
(B) Attached garages. A garage attached to the main structure shall be elevated to the greatest extent possible, but may be permitted as an exemption to the strict elevation requirement if it is used solely for parking of vehicles, storage, or building access and is no more than 600 feet in area. Attached garages must meet the venting requirements of § 151.086, have all interior walls, ceilings, and floors below the flood protection elevation unfinished, and have no machinery or electric devices or appliances located below the flood protection elevation. A declaration of land restriction recorded among the land records of Garrett County shall be required.
(C) Detached garages and accessory structures.
(1) An accessory structure or detached garage may be permitted as an exemption to the elevation requirement if it is less than 300 square feet, used solely for parking of vehicles and limited storage, meets the venting requirements of § 151.086 and anchoring requirements of § 151.088, has all interior wall, ceiling, and floor elements below the flood protection elevation unfinished, and has no machinery, electric devices, or appliances located below the flood protection elevation.
(2) A permit may be issued at the discretion of the local permitting official when the 300 square foot exemption is exceeded for accessory structures up to a total size of 600 square feet. In order to qualify the structures use must be incidental to the primary structure, and it can be used only for limited storage and parking of vehicles. The venting requirements of § 151.086 must be met. In addition, a declaration of land restriction recorded among the land records of Garrett County shall be required. A statement of the greater flood risk and possibly higher flood insurance premiums must be included.
(3) An accessory structure or garage larger than 600 square feet in area must be elevated to or above the flood protection elevation or be able to meet all applicable requirements under the elevation requirements of § 151.056(B) for nonresidential structures.
(Ord. —, passed 10-22-1991; Am. Ord. —, passed 8-20-2013; Am. Ord. —, passed 1-22-2019)