The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
A. Fill.
(1) If fill is used, it shall:
(a) Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points; and
(b) Consist of soil or small rock materials only - sanitary landfills shall not be permitted; and
(c) Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring, or settling; and
(d) Be no steeper than 1 vertical to 2 horizontal feet unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to, and approved by the Floodplain Administrator; and
(e) Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
B. Drainage Facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets, and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
C. Water and Sanitary Sewer Facilities and Systems.
(1) All new or replacement water supply, and sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be located, designed, and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of flood waters.
(2) Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into flood waters.
(3) No part of any on-site waste disposal system shall be located within any identified floodplain area except in strict compliance with all state and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is permitted, it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination from it, during a flood.
(4) The design and construction provisions of the UCC and FEMA #348, “Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damages” and “The International Private Sewage Disposal Code” shall be utilized.
D. Other Utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible), and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
E. Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than 1 foot below the base flood elevation.
F. Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and not listed in Part 5, § 8-504 of this Chapter, shall be stored at or above the base flood elevation or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
G. Placement of Buildings, Structures, Fences and Structural Barriers.
(1) All buildings and structures shall be designed, located, and constructed so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum effect upon the flow and height of flood water.
(2) No fences, except two-wire fences, or other structural barriers which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of flood waters, or which will catch or collect debris carried by such waters shall be placed within a designated floodway, nor shall any fence or structural barrier be placed where the natural flow of flood water could carry such fence or structural barrier downstream to the damage or detriment of any downstream property.
H. Anchoring.
(1) All buildings and structures shall be securely anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
(2) All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks, and other similar objects or components located below the base flood elevation shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
I. Floors, Walls, and Ceilings.
(1) Wood flooring used at or below the base flood elevation shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain without causing structural damage to the building.
(2) Plywood used at or below the base flood elevation shall be of a “marine” or “water-resistant” variety.
(3) Walls and ceilings at or below the base flood elevation shall be designed and constructed of materials that are “water-resistant” and will withstand inundation.
(4) Windows, doors, and other components at or below the base flood elevation shall be made of metal or other “water-resistant” material.
J. Paints and Adhesives.
(1) Paints and other finishes used at or below the base flood elevation shall be of “marine” or “water-resistant” quality.
(2) Adhesives used at or below the base flood elevation shall be of a “marine” or “water-resistant” variety.
(3) All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) used at or below the base flood elevation shall be finished with a “marine” or “water-resistant” paint or other finishing material.
K. Electrical Components.
(1) Electrical distribution panels shall be at least 3 feet above the base flood elevation.
(2) Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.
L. Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilating units, and other electrical, mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus shall not be located below the regulatory flood elevation.
M. Fuel Supply Systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges from the system into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water infiltration occurs.
N. Uniform Construction Code Coordination. The standards and specifications contained in 34 PA Code (Chapters 401-405), as amended and not limited to the following provisions shall apply to the above and other articles, sections, and subsections of this Chapter, to the extent that they are more restrictive and supplement the requirements of this Chapter:
International Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Sees. 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.
International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Sees. R104, R105, R109, R322, Appendix E, and Appendix J.
(Ord. 6-6-2016, 6/6/2016, § 8-503)