(A) All buildings or structures shall be located landward of the first line of stable natural vegetation and comply with all applicable state department of health and environmental control (DHEC), ocean and coastal resource management (OCRM) setback requirements.
(B) All buildings or structures shall be elevated so that the bottom of the lowest supporting horizontal member, excluding pilings or columns, is located no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation level, with all space below the lowest supporting member open so as not to impede the flow of water. Open lattice work or decorative screening may be permitted for aesthetic purposes only and must be designed to wash away in the event of abnormal wave action and in accordance with subsection (H) below.
(C) All buildings or structures shall be securely anchored on pilings or columns, extending vertically below a grade of sufficient depth and the zone of potential scour, and securely anchored to the subsoil strata.
(D) All pilings and columns and the attached structures shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, lateral movement and scour due to the effect of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components.
(E) A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the design, specifications and plans for construction are in compliance with the provisions contained in subsections (D) above and (F) and (H) below.
(F) There shall be no fill used as structural support. Non-compacted fill may be used around the perimeter of a building for landscaping/aesthetic purposes provided the fill will wash out from storm surge, thereby rendering the building free of obstruction prior to generating excessive loading forces, ramping effects or wave deflection. Only beach-compatible sand may be used. The local administrator shall approve design plans for landscaping/aesthetic fill only after the applicant has provided an analysis by an engineer, architect or soil scientist which demonstrates that the following factors have been fully considered:
(1) The particle composition of fill material does not have a tendency for excessive natural compaction;
(2) The volume and distribution of fill will not cause wave deflection to adjacent properties; and
(3) The slope of the fill will not cause wave runup or ramping.
(G) There shall be no alteration of sand dunes which would increase potential flood damage.
(H) Prior to construction, plans for any structures that will have lattice work or decorative screening must be submitted to the local administrator for approval.
(I) Lattice work or decorative screening shall be allowed below the base flood elevation; provided, they are not part of the structural support of the building and are designed so as to breakaway, under abnormally high tides or wave action, without damage to the structural integrity of the building on which they are to be used and provided the following design specifications are met:
(1) No solid walls shall be allowed;
(2) Breakaway wall material shall consist of wood or mesh screening only;
(3) Design safe loading resistance of each breakaway wall shall be not less than ten, nor more than 20, pounds per square foot; or
(4) If the design safe loading resistance of the breakaway is more than 20 pounds per square foot, a registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the design wall collapse would result from a water load less than that which would occur during the base flood event, and the elevated portion of the building and supporting foundation system shall not be subject to collapse, displacement or other structural damage due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components (structural and non-structural). The water-loading values used shall be those associated with the base flood. The wind-loading values used shall be those required by the SBCCI Standard Building Code. Breakaway wall material shall be constructed with flood-resistant materials.
(J) If aesthetic lattice work or screening is utilized, such enclosed space shall not be designed to be used for human habitation, but shall be designed to be used only for the parking of vehicles, building access or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises.
(1) Only flood-resistant materials shall be used below the required flood elevation specified in subsection (B) above.
(2) One wet location switch or outlet connected to a ground fault interrupt breaker may be installed below the required lowest floor elevation specified in subsection (C) above.
(3) The total area of an enclosed space shall not exceed 299 square feet per building.
(K) Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvement to a structure shall not enclose the space below the lowest floor, except with lattice work or decorative screening, as provided for in subsections (H) and (I) above.
(L) No manufactured homes shall be permitted, except in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision. A replacement manufactured home may be placed on a lot in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision provided the anchoring and elevation standards of § 20-63(C) of this chapter are met.
(N) Temporary structures are permitted in accordance with § 20-64 of this chapter.
(O) Accessory structures below the required lowest floor elevation specified in subsection (B) above are prohibited.
(P) Parking areas should be located on a stable grade under or landward of a structure. Any parking surface shall consist of gravel or ROC aggregate.
(Q) Electrical, ventilation, plumbing, heating and air conditioning equipment (including ductwork) and other service facilities shall be designed and located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. This requirement does not preclude the installation of outdoor faucets for shower heads, sinks, hoses and the like, as long as cutoff devices and backflow devices are installed to prevent contamination to the service components and thereby minimize any flood damage to the building.
(Ord. 102, passed 2-3-2003)