(A) No permit or variance shall be issued for a non-residential structure designed to be watertight below the regional flood elevation until the applicant submits a plan certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing measures will protect the structure or development to or above the flood protection elevation and submits a FEMA Floodproofing Certificate. Floodproofing is not an alternative to the development standards in §§ 15.3.010 through 15.3.014, §§ 15.3.021 through 15.3.024, §§ 15.3.031 through 15.3.033 or §§ 15.3.041 through 15.3.045.
(B) For a structure designed to allow the entry of floodwaters, no permit or variance shall be issued until the applicant submits a plan either:
(1) Certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or
(2) Meeting or exceeding the following standards:
(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; and
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(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.
(C) Floodproofing measures shall be designed, as appropriate, to:
(1) Withstand flood pressures, depths, velocities, uplift and impact forces and other regional flood factors.
(2) Protect structures to the flood protection elevation.
(3) Anchor structures to foundations to resist flotation and lateral movement.
(4) Minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters.
(5) Minimize or eliminate discharges into flood waters.
(6) Placement of essential utilities to or above the flood protection elevation; and
(7) If any part of the foundation below the flood protection elevation is enclosed, the following standards shall apply:
(a) The enclosed area shall be designed by a registered architect or engineer to allow for the efficient entry and exit of flood waters without human intervention. A minimum of 2 openings must be provided with a minimum net area of at least one square inch for every one square foot of the enclosed area. The lowest part of the opening can be no more than 12 inches above the adjacent grade.
(b) The parts of the foundation located below the flood protection elevation must be constructed of flood-resistant materials.
(c) Mechanical and utility equipment must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the flood protection elevation; and
(d) The use must be limited to parking, building access or limited storage.
(Ord. 904, passed 5-2-06; Am. Ord. 1095, passed 1-16-24)