(a) The Building Official or his/her designee (i.e. Floodplain Administrator) is hereby appointed to administer and implement the provisions of this article.
(b) Development permit and certification requirements. Application for a development permit shall be made to the local administrator on forms furnished by him or her prior to any development activities. The development permit may include, but not be limited to, plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing: the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures; and the location of fill materials, storage areas, and drainage facilities. Specifically, the following information is required:
(1) A plot plan that shows the 1% (100-year) floodplain contour or a statement that the entire lot is within the floodplain, must be provided by the development permit applicant when the lot is within or appears to be within or adjacent to the special flood hazard area as mapped by the Department of Homeland Security-FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program or the floodplain identified pursuant to either § 8-30(c) or §§ 8-39 and 8-40. The plot plan must be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a S.C. registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same.
(3) Where base flood elevation data is provided, the application for a development permit within the flood hazard area shall show:
a. The elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor of all new and substantially improved structures; and
b. If the structure will be floodproofed in accordance with § 8-33(b), the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure will be floodproofed.
(4) In the absence of other available data from another source, and where no base flood elevation data is provided as set forth in § 8-24 or § 8-30(c), the application for a development permit must show construction of the lowest floor at least a minimum of 4 feet above the highest adjacent grade. A higher lowest floor elevation will be required if base flood elevation data from adjacent areas indicate that the 4 feet minimum may be inadequate to protect the structure and service facilities from flooding during a 1% annual chance flood event. The requirements of § 8-39 must also be met, if applicable.
(5) Where any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development, the application for a development permit shall include: a description of the extent of watercourse alteration or relocation; an engineering report utilizing detailed methods accepted by DHS-FEMA, US Army Corps and any other applicable federal or state regulatory agencies, on the effects of the proposed project on the flood-carrying capacity of the watercourse and the effects to properties located both upstream and downstream; and, a map showing the location of the proposed watercourse alteration or relocation, and notification of the proposal to the appropriate authorities of all affected agencies. A copy of the notification shall be maintained in the permit records and submitted to the Department of Homeland Security-FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program.
Prior to the commencement of any work on the alteration of a water course the applicant must procure and submit to the local administrator any applicable federal or state approvals or permits, including a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR).
(6) Within 60 days of completion of an alteration of a watercourse, referenced in § 8-29(b)(5), the applicant shall submit as-built certification, by a SC registered professional engineer, to the local administrator, the Department of Homeland Security-FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program as a Letter of Map Revision, and the State of South Carolina, Department of Natural Resources, Flood Mitigation Program.
(7) When a structure is constructed or substantially improved in the area of special flood hazard, a flood elevation certificate is required, after the lowest floor is completed and before any further inspections are accepted and vertical construction commences. The "as- built" measurement shall be made in relation to mean sea level, and be a minimum of 4 feet above the base flood elevation. The certification shall be prepared, signed and sealed by a S.C. registered land surveyor or S.C. professional engineer. Any work done prior to submission of the certification shall be at the permit holder's risk. The local administrator shall review the floor elevation survey data submitted.
Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to further progressive work being permitted to proceed. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make said corrections shall be cause to issue a stop-work order for the project.
A final "Finished Construction" Flood Elevation Certificate is required to be submitted to and approved by the floodplain administrator prior to final inspections and/or certificate of occupancy.
(8) When a nonresidential structure is constructed and/or substantially improved in the area of special flood hazard, a floodproofing certificate is required for the structure if the lowest floor, mechanical system and utilities are not elevated 4 feet above the base flood elevation. All construction to accomplish this floodproofing shall be constructed of materials that prevent the passage of water and the effects of buoyancy under the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads imposed during flood inundation. The floodproofing certificate shall be prepared by a SC registered architect or engineer and submitted with the development permit application. Upon completion of the floodproofing, a certification statement indicating that the floodproofing has been completed according to the submitted plans shall be prepared, signed and sealed by a SC registered architect or engineer. This statement shall be submitted to the local administrator for review and acceptance. Any work done prior to submission of the certification shall be at the permit holder's risk. The local administrator shall review the floodproofing statement and any accompanying data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to further progressive work being permitted to proceed. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to issue a stop-work order for the project.
(9) If the proposed project will impact the configuration of the watercourse, floodway, or base flood elevation for which a detailed Flood Insurance Study has been developed, the applicant shall apply for and must receive approval for a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) with the Department of Homeland Security-FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program. The floodplain development permit will not be issued until DHS-FEMA has issued the CLOMR. When a CLOMR has been issued for a project the following shall apply. Within 30 calendar days of completion of construction activities, the applicant shall apply to DHS-FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). The applicant is responsible for all technical submissions and fees required to obtain the CLOMR/LOMR.
(10) Upon completion of the development a SC registered professional engineer, land surveyor or architect, whichever professional is appropriate, shall certify that §§ 8-29(b)(5) through (8) are built in accordance with the submitted plans and previous pre-development certifications.
(Ord. 4085, § 2, passed 2-20-2007; Ord. 4631, § 2, passed 6-17-2014; Ord. 5031, passed 11-6-2018; Ord. 5276, passed 4-6-2021)