In addition to the requirements of the Florida Building Code, in coastal high hazard areas decks and patios must be located, designed, and constructed in compliance with the following:
(1) A deck that is structurally attached to a building or structure must have the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member at or above the design flood elevation and any supporting members that extend below the design flood elevation must comply with the foundation requirements that apply to the building or structure, which must be designed to accommodate any increased loads resulting from the attached deck.
(2) A deck or patio that is located below the design flood elevation must be structurally independent from buildings or structures and their foundation systems, and must be designed and constructed either to remain intact and in place during design flood conditions or to break apart into small pieces to minimize debris during flooding that is capable of causing structural damage to the building or structure or to adjacent buildings and structures.
(3) A deck or patio that has a vertical thickness of more than 12 inches or that is constructed with more than the minimum amount of fill necessary for site drainage will not be approved, unless an analysis prepared by a qualified registered design professional demonstrates no harmful diversion of floodwaters or wave runup and wave reflection that would increase damage to the building or structure or to adjacent buildings and structures.
(4) A deck or patio that has a vertical thickness of 12 inches or less and that is at natural grade or on nonstructural fill material that is similar to and compatible with local soils and is the minimum amount necessary for site drainage may be approved without requiring analysis of the impact on diversion of floodwaters or wave runup and wave reflection.
(Ord. 2014-01, adopted 2-19-14; Am. Ord. 2017-05, adopted 12-20-17)