(a) General. Permits are required in order to determine whether all new construction or substantial improvements are:
(1) Located in an identified Floodplain or Floodway.
(2) Designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
(3) Constructed with material and utility equipment resistant to flood damage as outlined in FEMA Technical Bulletin 2-93 (FIA-TB-2) or the most recent revision thereof.
(4) Constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(5) Constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(b) Basic Format. The basic format of the permit shall include the following:
(1) Name and address of applicant.
(2) Name and address of owner of land on which proposed development is to occur.
(3) Names, addresses, and valid WV license numbers of all contractors working at the building site, or affidavits stating that work is being performed by individuals exempt from contractor licensing as set forth in Title 28, Series 2, section 3.9 (b) of the West Virginia Code of State Regulations or the most recent revision thereof.
(4) A description of Site location sufficient to locate the project including tax map and parcel number and most recent deed book and page number.
(5) A standard site plan showing size and location of the proposed development as well as any existing buildings or structures. The site plan shall also show all adjacent roads and watercourses with direction of flow, the lowest adjacent grade to the proposed foundation and/or toe of fill, the Base Flood Elevation and the location of the floodway boundary when applicable.
(6) An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to pay any and all fees associated with the permitting process as set forth in Section 1711.07(i).
(7) An acknowledgement that the applicant agrees to allow authorized representatives of floodplain management programs access to the development to inspect for compliance.
(8) The contract required by WV Code of State Regulations, Title 28, Series 4, and all addendums to the contract(s) shall be presented to the floodplain administrator for review within five (5) business days of contract signing. The community does not require and will not keep copies of the contracts or addendums. Failure to present contract or addendums for review shall void the permit. If a licensed contractor is not involved, or the work is of an aggregate value of less than ten thousand dollars including materials and labor, a brief written description of proposed work and the estimated value will suffice.
(c) Elevation and Flood Proofing Information. All applicants are encouraged to exceed the minimum elevation requirements contained herein. Flood insurance rates can be lowered significantly by increasing the elevation of the lowest floor above the freeboard height required by this Ordinance.
Depending on the type of structure involved, the following information shall also be included in the application for work within the Floodplain Area:
(1) For structures to be elevated 18 inches the Base Flood Elevation:
A. A plan showing the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.
B. A determination of elevations of the Base Flood, existing ground, proposed finished ground and lowest floor, certified by a registered professional engineer or licensed professional surveyor.
C. Plans showing the method of elevating the proposed structure including details of proposed fills, pile structures, retaining walls, foundations, erosion protection measures, etc. When required by the Floodplain Administrator, a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect shall prepare these plans.
D. Plans showing the methods used to protect utilities (including sewer, water, telephone, electric, gas, etc.) from flooding to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation at the building site.
E. During the course of construction, as soon as the basic elements of the lowest floor are in place and before further vertical construction, it is highly recommended that the applicant check for error by obtaining elevation data completed by a registered professional engineer or licensed professional surveyor certifying the height of the lowest floor. If a mistake in elevation has been made this is the best time to correct the error.
F. A Nonconversion Agreement shall be signed by the applicant whenever the community determines that the area below the first floor could be converted to a non-conforming use (generally applies to enclosed areas below base flood elevation that are 5 ft. high or more). This agreement shall state:
1. The area below Base Flood Elevation shall not be converted for use other than for parking, building access or for allowable storage as detailed in this Ordinance.
2. The applicant agrees to notify prospective buyers of the existence of the non-conversion agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to transfer the agreement at closing to the new owner via notarized signature, a copy of all new agreements shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. Failure to transfer the agreement and provide a signed copy to the Floodplain Administrator shall subject the violator to the penalties set forth in Section 1711.08(c).
(2) For structures to be flood proofed to 18 inches the Base Flood Elevation (nonresidential structures only):
All applicants are encouraged to exceed the minimum flood proofing requirements contained herein. Flood insurance rates can be lowered significantly by increasing the level of flood proofing above the height required by this ordinance. In order to obtain an "elevation credited" flood insurance rate on dry flood proofed buildings, flood proofing must extend at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.
A. Plans showing details of all flood proofing measures, prepared by a registered professional engineer, showing the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.
B. A determination of elevations of the Base Flood, existing ground, proposed finished ground, lowest floor, and flood proofing limits; certified by a registered professional engineer or licensed professional surveyor.
C. A Flood proofing Certificate, FEMA 81-65, as revised by FEMA, shall be prepared by the registered professional engineer who prepared the plans in subsection (c)(2)A. hereof, stating the structure in question, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities is designed so that:
1. The structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water from the lowest structural element to 18 inches above the Base Flood Elevation.
2. The structure will withstand the hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, buoyant, impact, and other forces resulting from the flood depths, velocities, pressures, and other factors associated with the Base Flood.
(3) For structures constructed of flood resistant materials- used solely for parking of vehicles, or storage, (Appurtenant Structures only):
A. A site plan prepared by a licensed professional surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications showing elevation of existing ground, proposed finished ground and lowest floor. The plan shall also show details of proposed flood resistant materials usage and the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed. The location of the floodway boundary shall be represented on the plan when a floodway is present on the site.
B. An elevation report or certificate, based on finished construction, must be prepared by a licensed professional surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications. This certificate or report must confirm that the structure in question, together with attendant utilities is designed so that:
1. Flood resistant materials as detailed in FEMA Technical Bulletin 2-93 (FIA-TB-2) are used in the construction of the structure from the lowest structural element to two feet above the Base Flood Elevation and that all utilities are located at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation.
2. Hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls are equalized by allowing for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect 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 no 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.
3. In addition, the applicant shall sign a Non-conversion Agreement and notify prospective buyers of the existence of the agreement. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to transfer the Non-conversion Agreement to any new owner at closing via notarized signature. A signed copy of the transferred Non-conversion agreement shall be provided to the floodplain administrator. Failure to transfer the agreement and provide a signed copy to the Floodplain Administrator shall subject the violator to the penalties set forth in Section 1711.08(c).
(d) Site Plan Criteria. The owner or developer of any proposed development, including Subdivisions Commercial development and Manufactured Home Parks, shall submit a preliminary site plan to the Floodplain Administrator that includes the following information:
(1) Name of registered professional engineer, licensed professional surveyor or other qualified person responsible for providing the information required in this section.
(2) A map showing the location of the proposed subdivision and/or development with respect to floodplain areas, proposed lot sites, and fills. In addition, it is required that all subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments which are proposed to take place either fully or partially within the approximated floodplain (F4) and which are greater than ten (10) lots or two (2) acres, whichever is the lesser, shall include base flood elevation data and shall delineate a floodway. lf FEMA has completed a Flood Insurance Study (FIS), that data must be used to substantiate the base flood. Otherwise, the developer may submit data provided by an authoritative source, such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation Service, state and local water resource departments, or technical data developed using detailed methodologies comparable to those contained in a Flood Insurance Study. This data shall be prepared and certified by a registered professional engineer, who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts.
(3) Where the subdivision and/or development lies partially or completely in the floodplain areas, the plan map shall include detailed information giving the location and elevation of proposed roads, public utilities and building sites. All such maps shall also show contours at intervals of two (2) or five (5) feet depending upon the slope of the land and identify accurately the boundaries of the floodplain areas.
(4) Where the subdivision lies partially in the floodplain area and all proposed development will take place on natural grade a significant vertical distance above the floodplain boundary depicted on the map, development of detailed Base Flood Elevation data may not be necessary. In these cases the site plan for the proposed development must show contours at intervals of two (2) or five (5) feet and clearly delineate the area to be developed and the location of the floodplain areas as depicted on the FEMA map. A registered professional engineer, licensed professional surveyor or others of demonstrated qualifications must certify the site plan.
(Passed 9-24-09.)