(A) Additions and/or improvements to pre-FIRM structures when the addition and/or improvements in combination with any interior modifications to the existing structure are:
(1) Not a substantial improvement, the addition and/or improvements must be designed to minimize flood damages and must not be any more nonconforming than the existing structure.
(2) A substantial improvement, with modifications/rehabilitations/improvements to the existing structure or the common wall is structurally modified more than installing a doorway, both the existing structure and the addition must comply with the standards for new construction.
(B) Additions to pre-FIRM or post-FIRM structures that are a substantial improvement with no modifications/rehabilitations/improvements to the existing structure other than a standard door in the common wall, shall require only the addition to comply with the standards for new construction.
(C) Additions and/or improvements to post-FIRM structures when the addition and/or improvements in combination with any interior modifications to the existing structure are:
(1) Not a substantial improvement, the addition and/or improvements only must comply with the standards for new construction consistent with the code and requirements for the original structure.
(2) A substantial improvement, both the existing structure and the addition and/or improvements must comply with the standards for new construction.
(D) Where a fire wall or independent perimeter load-bearing wall is provided between the addition and the existing building, the addition(s) shall be considered a separate building and only the addition must comply with the standards for new construction.
(E) Any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or improvement of a building or structure taking place during a one year period, the cumulative cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started must comply with the standards for new construction. For each building or structure, the one year period begins on the date of the first improvement or repair of that building or structure subsequent to the effective date of this chapter. Substantial damage also means flood-related damage sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 25% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. The requirement does not, however, include either:
(1) Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary or safety code violations identified by the building official and that are the minimum necessary to assume safe living conditions.
(2) Any alteration of a historic structure provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
(Ord. 2018-24, passed 5-21-18)