Shallow flooding areas appear on FIRMs as AO zones with depth designations. The base flood depths in these zones range from one to three feet (3') above ground where a clearly defined channel does not exist, or where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is usually characterized as sheet flow. In these areas, the following provisions apply:
A. Residential Structures And Manufactured Homes: New construction and substantial improvements of residential structures and manufactured homes within AO zones shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade to the structure a minimum of one foot (1') above the depth number specified in feet on the community's FIRM (at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade to the structure if no depth number is specified).
B. Nonresidential Structures: New construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures within AO zones shall either:
1. Have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade of the building site a minimum of one foot (1') or more above the depth number specified on the FIRM (at least two feet (2') if no depth number is specified); or
2. Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely floodproofed to or above the FIRM depth level so that any space below that level is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. If this method is used, compliance shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect as in subsection 10-4-8B3 of this chapter.
C. Drainage: Adequate drainage paths shall be placed around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
D. Recreational Vehicles: Recreational vehicles placed on sites within AO zones on the community's FIRM are required to:
1. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days; and
2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, on its wheels or jacking system, be attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and have no permanently attached additions; or
3. Meet the requirements of subsections A and C of this section and the anchoring requirements for manufactured homes (subsection 10-4-7A2 of this chapter). (Ord. 847, 8-17-2009; amd. Ord. 1016, 6-5-2023)