The requirements of Section 1266.30 apply to new construction and to substantial improvements of nonresidential structures in Zones A, A1-A30, AE, AO, and AH, when designated on the community’s effective FIRM, and when designated on a preliminary or final FIRM issued by FEMA under the circumstances provided in Section 1266.23.
(A) New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall meet the requirements of Section 1266.29 (A) - (C) and (E) - (G).
(B) New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other non-residential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the level of the flood protection elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall meet all of the following standards:
(1) Be dry flood proofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water to the level of the flood protection elevation;
(2) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and,
(3) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, through the use of a Federal Emergency Management Agency Floodproofing Certificate, that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with Sections 1266.30(B)(1) and (2).
(C) In Zone AO areas with no elevations specified, the structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade. Where flood protection elevation data are not available the structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade.