(A) Residential construction.
(1) New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation.
(2) Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding are prohibited, or shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(B) Non-residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at or above the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
(1) Be flood-proofed so that below the base flood level the structure is water-tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
(2) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy;
(3) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting provisions of this division (B) based on their development and/or review of the structural design, specifications and plans. Such certifications shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 153.26(B)(2) of this chapter;
(4) Non-residential structures that are elevated, not flood-proofed, must meet the same standards for space below the lowest floor as described in division (A)(2) above; and
(5) Applicants flood-proofing non-residential buildings shall be notified that flood insurance premiums will be based on rates that are one foot below the flood-proofed level (e.g., a building flood-proofed to the base flood level will be rated as one foot below.
(C) Manufactured homes.
(1) All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved within Zones A1-A30, AH and AE on the community’s FIRM on sites as follows shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately designed foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement:
(a) Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;
(b) In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;
(c) In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or
(d) In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred “substantial damage” as the result of a flood.
(2) Manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park, or subdivision with Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community’s FIRM that are not subject to the above manufactured home provisions be elevated so that either;
(a) The lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one foot above the base flood elevation; or
(b) The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above grade and be securely anchored to an adequately designed foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(D) Recreational vehicles. Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community’s FIRM either:
(1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(2) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect types utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions; or
(3) Meet the requirements of division (C) above and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes.
(Ord. 2000-01, passed 4-4-2000)