(A) Permit required. A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities within special flood hazard areas as determined in § 151.07 of this chapter.
(B) Application requirements. Application for a Floodplain development permit shall be made to the Floodplain Administrator prior to any development activities located within special flood hazard areas. The following items shall be presented to the Floodplain Administrator to apply for a floodplain development permit:
(1) A plot plan drawn to scale which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following specific details of the proposed floodplain development:
(a) The nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area of development/disturbance; existing and proposed structures, utility systems, grading/pavement areas, fill materials, storage areas, drainage facilities and other development;
(b) The boundary of the special flood hazard area as delineated on the FIRM or other flood map as determined in § 151.07 of this chapter, or a statement that the entire lot is within the special flood hazard area;
(c) Flood zone(s) designation of the proposed development area as determined on the FIRM or other flood map as determined in § 151.07 of this chapter;
(d) The boundary of the floodway(s) or non-encroachment area(s) as determined in § 151.07 of this chapter;
(f) The old and new location of any watercourse that will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development; and
(g) Certification of the plot plan by a registered land surveyor or professional engineer.
(2) Proposed elevation, and method thereof, of all development within a special flood hazard area including, but not limited to:
(a) Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the proposed reference level (including basement) of all structures;
(b) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any non-residential structure in Zone AE, A or AO will be flood-proofed; and
(c) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any proposed utility systems will be elevated or flood-proofed.
(3) If flood-proofing, a flood-proofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) along with detailed back-up computations and operational plans that specify the location on a FIRM panel of flood- proofing measures, the entity responsible for transportation and installation according to the design within the warning time available, and maintenance of flood-proofing measures assuring their effectiveness when installed. Flood-proofing certificate and back-up computations and operational plans shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect to ensure that the non-residential flood-proofed development will meet the flood-proofing criteria in § 151.26(B) of this chapter.
(4) A foundation plan drawn to scale which shall include details of the proposed foundation system to ensure all provisions of this chapter are met. These details include, but are not limited to:
(a) The proposed method of elevation, if applicable (i.e., fill, solid foundation perimeter wall, solid backfilled foundation, open foundation on columns/posts/piers/piles/shear walls); and
(b) Openings to facilitate equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on walls in accordance with § 151.26(D) of this chapter, when solid foundation perimeter walls are used in Zones A, AO, AE and A1-30.
(5) Usage details of any enclosed areas below the regulatory flood protection elevation;
(6) Plans and/or details for the protection of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems to be located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
(7) Copies of all other local, state and federal permits required prior to floodplain development permit issuance (wetlands, endangered species, erosion and sedimentation control, CAMA, riparian buffers, mining and the like);
(8) Documentation for placement of recreational vehicles and/or temporary structures, when applicable, to ensure § 151.26(F) and (G) of this chapter are met; and
(9) A description of proposed watercourse alteration or relocation, when applicable, including an engineering report 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 (if not shown on plot plan) showing the location of the proposed watercourse alteration or relocation.
(C) Permit requirements. The floodplain development permit shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) A description of the development to be permitted under the floodplain development permit;
(2) The special flood hazard area determination for the proposed development per available data specified in § 151.07 of this chapter;
(3) The regulatory flood protection elevation required for the reference level and all attendant utilities;
(4) The regulatory flood protection elevation required for the protection of all public utilities;
(5) All certification submittal requirements with timelines;
(6) A statement that no fill material shall encroach into the floodway or non-encroachment area of any watercourse, as applicable;
(7) The minimum opening requirements, if in Zone A, AO, AE or A1-30; and
(8) Limitations of below BFE enclosure uses, if applicable (i.e., parking, building access and limited storage only).
(D) Certification requirements.
(1) Elevation certificates.
(a) An elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) is required prior to the actual start of any new construction. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the elevation of the reference level, in relation to mean sea level. Elevation certification shall be prepared by, or under direct supervision of, a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder prior to the beginning of construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to deny a floodplain development permit.
(b) An elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) or flood-proofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) is required after the reference level is established. Within seven calendar days of establishment of the reference level elevation, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the elevation of the reference level, in relation to mean sea level. Elevation certification shall be prepared by, or under the direct supervision of, a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. Any work done within the seven-day calendar period and prior to submission of the certification shall be at the permit holder’s risk. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate 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.
(c) A final as-built elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) is required after construction is completed and prior to certificate of compliance/ occupancy issuance. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of final as-built construction of the elevation of the reference level and all attendant utilities. Elevation certification shall be prepared by, or under the direct supervision of, a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to certificate of compliance/ occupancy issuance. In some instances, another certification may be required to certify corrected as- built construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to withhold the issuance of a certificate of compliance/ occupancy.
(2) Flood-proofing certificate. If non- residential flood-proofing is used to meet the regulatory flood protection elevation requirements, a flood-proofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) is required prior to the actual start of any new construction. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the flood-proofed design elevation of the reference level and all attendant utilities, in relation to mean sea level. Flood-proofing certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer or architect and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder prior to the beginning of construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to deny a floodplain development permit. Failure to construct in accordance with the certified design shall be cause to withhold the issuance of a certificate of compliance/ occupancy.
(3) Foundation certification. If a manufactured home is placed within Zone A, AO, AE or A1-30 and the elevation of the chassis is more than 36 inches in height above grade, an engineered foundation certification is required per § 151.26(C) of this chapter.
(4) Other submissions. If a watercourse is to be altered or relocated, a description of the extent of watercourse alteration or relocation; an engineering report 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 shall all be submitted by the permit applicant prior to issuance of a floodplain development permit.
(5) Certification exemptions. The following structures, if located within Zone A, AO, AE or A1-30, are exempt from the elevation/flood-proofing certification requirements specified in divisions (D)(1) and (D)(2) above:
(a) Recreational vehicles meeting requirements of § 151.26(F)(1) of this chapter;
(b) Temporary structures meeting requirements of § 151.26(G) of this chapter; and
(c) Accessory structures less than 150 square feet meeting requirements of § 151.26(H) of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 6-6-2005)