1. Residential Structures.
A. In AE, A1-30, and AH Zznes, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
B. In A zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with Part 4, § 8-402.C of this Chapter.
C. In AO zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
D. The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or the latest edition thereof adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and ASCE 24 and 34 PA Code (Chapters 401-405 as amended) shall be utilized, where they are more restrictive.
2. Non-Residential Structures.
A. In AE, A1-30, and AH zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a non-residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
(1) Is floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
(2) Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
B. In A zones, where no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with Part 4, § 8-402.C of this Chapter.
C. In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
D. Any non-residential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the Wl or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled “Flood-Proofing Regulations” published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above referenced standards.
E. The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or the latest edition thereof adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and ASCE 24 and 34 PA Code (Chapters 401-405 as amended) shall be utilized, where they are more restrictive.
3. Space below the lowest floor.
A. Basements are prohibited within the identified floodplain area.
B. Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term “fully enclosed space” also includes crawl spaces.
C. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space; and
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade; and
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
4. Historic structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation that would constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this Chapter, must comply with all Chapter requirements that do not preclude the historic structure’s continued designation as a historic structure. Documentation that a specific Chapter requirement will cause removal of the historic structure from the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic places must be obtained from the Secretary of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption from Chapter requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the historic structure.
5. In the identified floodplain area, accessory structures need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
A. Accessory structures shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles; or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use of the property.
B. The floor area of the accessory structure shall not exceed 200 square feet. Otherwise, a variance shall be required as set forth in Part 8 of this Chapter and if a variance is granted, a signed declaration of land restriction (nonconversion agreement) shall be recorded on the property deed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
C. Accessory structures shall have a low damage potential.
D. Accessory structures shall be located and oriented on the property so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of flood waters.
E. Separate electrical circuits shall serve accessory structures, and shall be dropped from above.
F. Power lines, wiring, and outlets shall be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation.
G. Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc. are prohibited.
H. Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
I. Accessory structures shall be securely anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
J. Accessory Structures shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) A minimum of 2 openings having a net total area of not less than 1 square inch for every square foot of enclosed space; and
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade; and
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
K. No hazardous materials and substances (as listed in Part 5, § 8-504 of this Chapter) shall be stored in any accessory structure.
(Ord. 6-6-2016, 6/6/2016, § 8-502)