1. In the identified floodplain area, the development and/or use of any land shall be permitted provided that the development and/or use complies with the restrictions and requirements of this and all other applicable codes and ordinances in force in the municipality.
2. Within any floodway area, no new construction or development shall be permitted that would cause any increase in the 100-year flood elevation.
3. Within any identified floodplain area, no new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
4. Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction or substantial improvement of a residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above the regulatory flood elevation. The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2003 IBC (§§ 1612.4,1603.1.6 and 3403.1) and in the 2003 IRC (§§R323.1.4, R323.2.1, and R323.2.2) and ASCE 24 (§§ 2.4 and 2.5, Chap. 5) and 34 Pa.Code (Chapters 401–405 as amended) shall be utilized.
5. Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed by such structure shall remain either completely or essentially dry during any flood up to that height.
Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, having a lowest floor (including basement) which is not elevated to at least 1½ feet above the 100-year flood elevation, shall be floodproofed in a completely or essentially dry manner in accordance with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled “Flood-Proofing Regulations,” published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992), or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above referenced standards.
The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the IBC (§§ 1603.1.2, 1603.1.6, 1605.2.2, 1606.5, 1612.5.1 and 3403.1. and ASCE 24 (§ 2.4, Chap. 7) and 34 Pa.Code (Chapters 401–405 as amended) shall be utilized.
6. Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) is prohibited.
7. Partially enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term “partially enclosed space,” also includes crawl spaces.
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 net total area of not less than 1 square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
B. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade.
C. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
8. Consideration may be given to the requirements of 34 Pa.Code (Chapters 401–405 as amended) and the 2003 IRC (§§R323.2.2 and R323.1.4) and the 2003 IBC (§§ 1612.4, 1612.5, 1202.3.2 and 1203.3.3).
9. Accessory Structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
A. The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or activity.
B. Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet.
C. The structure will have a low damage potential.
D. The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.
E. Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be at least 1½ feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
F. Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
G. Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
H. The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) Minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than 1 square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade.
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc. or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(Ord. 78, 3/5/2009, § 4.00)