Certain unique characteristics of manufactured homes installed in special flood hazard areas pose an elevated risk to safety and substantial damage to property, therefore:
(A) (1) All manufactured homes to be sited within the special flood hazard areas of the town shall be installed by a contractor possessing a valid state manufactured home installer’s license. The licensed manufactured home installer shall use an installation design engineered to withstand flood hazards specific to the particular home site.
(2) Manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved within special flood hazard areas shall be installed in accordance with the following standards.
(a) The lowest floor, duct work and utilities, including HVAC/heat pump, shall be elevated two feet above the base flood elevation.
(b) The elevation shall be on reinforced piers on a permanent foundation, or shall use foundation elements of at least equivalent strength engineered for use in a flood hazard area. Installation designs incorporating dry stacked-block piers shall not be used in special flood hazard areas.
(c) All manufactured homes shall be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system in compliance with the requirements of W. Va. Code of State Rules Tit. 42, Series 19, §§ 10.1, 10.2 and 10(b), as authorized by W. Va. Code § 21-9-4, or the most recent revisions thereof. The anchoring shall be adequate to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, over-the-top and frame ties attached to permanent foundation elements. Ground anchors may not be adequate to satisfy flood-specific anchoring requirements. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
(d) 1. Permanently attached rigid skirts or perimeter wall skirts of brick or block shall have openings to prevent collapse and damage to supporting piers. The openings shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters.
2. Designs for meeting this requirement shall either be certified by a registered professional engineer or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria.
a. A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.
b. The bottom of all openings shall be not higher than one foot above grade.
c. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(e) Any additions to a manufactured home shall be similarly anchored and vented.
(B) The licensed state manufactured home installer placing the unit shall perform a site inspection and certify in writing that the manufactured home has been installed to the standards set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. passed 6-5-2012)