(A) Permit and application requirements.
(1) Permit requirement. All uses, activities, and development occurring within any FOD shall be undertaken only after the issuance of a zoning permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with all other applicable codes and ordinances, as amended, and Chapter 156: Subdivision Code. Prior to the issuance of any permit, the Zoning Administrator shall require all applications to include compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and shall review all sites to assure they are reasonably safe from flooding. Under no circumstances shall any use, activity, and/or development adversely affect the capacity of the channels or floodways of any watercourse, drainage ditch, or any other drainage facility or system.
(2) Site plans and permit applications. All applications for development within any FOD and all building permits issued for the floodplain shall incorporate the following information:
(a) The elevation of the base flood at the site.
(b) The elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) or, in V Zones, the lowest horizontal structural member.
(c) For structures to be flood-proofed (non-residential only), the elevation to which the structure will be flood-proofed.
(d) Topographic information showing existing and proposed ground elevations.
(e) Subdivision proposals.
1. All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
2. All subdivision proposals shall have any public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
3. All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(B) General standards. In all FODs the following provisions shall apply:
(1) New construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored according to the VA USBC and of this chapter to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure.
(2) Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This standard shall be in addition to and consistent with applicable state requirements for resisting wind forces.
(3) New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
(4) New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(5) Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities, including duct work, shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(6) New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system.
(7) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters.
(8) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
In addition to provisions (1)-(8) above, in all special flood hazard areas, the additional provisions shall apply:
(9) Prior to any proposed alteration or relocation of any channels or of any watercourse, stream, etc., within this jurisdiction a permit shall be obtained from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (a joint permit application is available from any of these organizations).
(10) In riverine situations, adjacent communities and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Department of Floodplain Management shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and copies of such notifications shall be submitted to FEMA.
(11) The flood-carrying capacity within an altered or relocated portion of any watercourse shall be maintained.
(C) Specific standards. In all FODs the following provisions shall apply:
(1) Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in an AE Zone shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation.
(2) Non-residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or non-residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. Buildings located in all AE Zones may be flood-proofed in lieu of being elevated provided that all areas of the building components below the elevation corresponding to the BFE plus two feet are watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, and use structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this section are satisfied.
(3) Elevated buildings. In AE Zones, enclosed areas, of new construction or substantially improved structures, which are below the regulatory flood protection elevation shall:
(a) Not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall only be used for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises. Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment (standard exterior door), or entry to the living area (stairway or elevator). The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned or finished into separate rooms, except to enclose storage areas;
(b) Be constructed entirely of flood resistant materials below the regulatory flood protection elevation;
(c) In the Coastal High Hazard FOD, follow the standards for elevation outlined in § 159.109, Standards for the Coastal High Hazard FOD, below;
(d) Include in AE Zones measures to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. To meet this requirement, the openings must either be certified by a professional engineer or architect or meet the following minimum design criteria:
1. Provide a minimum of two openings on different sides of each enclosed area subject to flooding.
2. The total net area of all openings must be at least one square inch for each square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding.
3. If a building has more than one enclosed area, each area must have openings to allow floodwaters to automatically enter and exit.
4. The bottom of all required openings shall be no higher than one foot above the adjacent grade.
5. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other opening coverings or devices, provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions.
6. Foundation enclosures made of flexible skirting are not considered enclosures for regulatory purposes, and, therefore, do not require openings. Masonry or wood underpinning, regardless of structural status, is considered an enclosure and requires openings as outlined above.
(D) Accessory structures in the SFHA shall comply with the elevation requirements and other requirements of § 159.108(C)(2) if not elevated or dry floodproofed, shall:
(1) Not be used for human habitation;
(2) Be limited to no more than 600 square feet in total floor area;
(3) Be useable only for parking of vehicles or limited storage;
(4) Be constructed with flood damage-resistant materials below the base flood elevation;
(5) Be constructed and placed to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of floodwaters;
(6) Be anchored to prevent flotation;
(7) Have electrical service and mechanical equipment elevated to or above the base flood elevation;
(8) Be provided with flood openings which shall meet the following criteria:
(a) There shall be a minimum of two flood openings on different sides of each enclosed area; if a building has more than one enclosure below the lowest floor, each such enclosure shall have flood openings on exterior walls.
(b) The total net area of all flood openings shall be at least one square inch for each square foot of enclosed area (non-engineered flood openings), or the flood openings shall be engineered flood openings that are designed and certified by a licensed professional engineer to automatically allow entry and exit of floodwater; the certification requirement may be satisfied by an individual certification or an Evaluation Report issued by the ICC Evaluation Service, Inc.
(c) The bottom of each flood opening shall be one foot or less above the higher of the interior floor or grade, or the exterior grade, immediately below the opening.
(d) Any louvers, screens or other covers for the flood openings shall allow the automatic flow of floodwaters into and out of the enclosed area.
(E) Standards for manufactured homes and recreational vehicles.
(1) All manufactured homes placed, or substantially improved, on individual lots or parcels, in expansions to existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions, in a new manufactured home park or subdivision or in substantially improved manufactured home parks or subdivisions, must meet all the requirements for new construction, including elevation and anchoring.
(2) All manufactured homes placed or substantially improved in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision where no manufactured home has sustained substantial damage from flooding must be elevated so that:
(a) The lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation.
(b) The manufactured home must be securely anchored to the adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(3) All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either:
(a) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(b) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use (a recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions); or
(c) Meet all the requirements for new construction, including anchoring and elevation requirements.
(Ord. passed 2-23-2015; Am. Ord. passed 5-12-2015; Am. Ord. passed 10-10-2023)