Duties of the Building Official shall include, but not be limited to:
(A) Review all applications for construction permits to assure that the requirements of this chapter have been satisfied, the requirements of 44 CFR, and are adequate to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding.
(B) Review application for a construction permit on forms furnished by the Building Official, prior to authorizing the commencement of any construction activities. The following information, as a minimum, is required to be reviewed:
(1) Two sets of building plans drawn to scale and showing, at a minimum, elevations for each exterior wall; floor plan(s); foundation and wall sections and details; stair details; and electrical, plumbing and mechanical riser diagrams. The plans shall give a full description of proposed construction including a site plan identifying area(s) having special flood related hazards as applicable.
(2) Plans shall indicate the BFE and the DFE elevation of the proposed building, verification that materials proposed below the design flood elevation (DFE) are flood resistant per FEMA Technical Bulletin 2; if applicable, include flood proofing certification (non-residential), hydrostatic venting information, breakaway wall details and certifications from a registered architect/engineer.
(C) Maintain permanent copy of building permits issued and copies of all required certifications for the life of the structure.
(D) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location and elevation of all areas of special flood hazard (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions), the Building Official shall make the necessary interpretation. The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in this chapter.
(E) Maintain a copy of letter of map changes (LOMC) issued by FEMA in the office of the Building Official.
(F) Maintain on file for public access flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
(G) Review violations that occur during the course of construction. Failure of the contractor to make required changes shall be cause for issuance of a stop-work order for the project.
(H) When base flood elevation or floodway data have not been provided by the applicants, the Building Official shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source.
(I) Advise owners, no new flood insurance coverage may be provided for any new construction of, or substantial improvement to, a structure located within the coastal barrier resources system as defined in Section 4 of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act.
(J) Determine the elevation requirement for construction in flood zones.
(K) Review proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been received from those governmental agencies from which approval is required by federal or state law, including section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1334 and that no adverse impact occurs during the development process as authorized by the 44 CFR 59 and 60.
(L) Notify adjacent communities and the S.C. Natural Resources Department prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(M) Ensure that maintenance and inspections are provided within the altered or relocated portion of watercourses so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished, and maintaining records of the same until completion of the project.
(N) Notify all repetitive loss area structures of their risk of flooding and the services available to them.
(Ord. 2016-14, passed 1-19-2017; Ord. 2020-11, passed 12-17-2020)