(A) Elevation certificates.
(1) An elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) is required prior to the actual start of any new construction. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the elevation of the reference level, in relation to mean sea level. Elevation certification shall be prepared by or under direct supervision of, a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder prior to the beginning of construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to deny a floodplain development permit.
(2) An elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-35) or floodproofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) is required after the reference level is established. Within seven calendar days of establishment of the reference level elevation, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the elevation of the reference level, in relation to mean sea level. Elevation certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. Any work done within the seven-day calendar period and prior to submission of the certification shall be the permit holder’s risk. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to further work being permitted to proceed. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to issue a stop-work order the project.
(3) A final as-built elevation certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) is required after construction is completed and prior to certificate of compliance/occupancy issuance. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of final as-built construction of the elevation of the reference level and all attendant utilities. Elevation certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of, a registered land surveyor or professional engineer and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder immediately and prior to certificate of compliance/occupancy issuance. In some instances, another certification may be required to certify corrected as-built construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to withhold the issuance of a certificate of compliance/occupancy.
(4) If non-residential floodproofing is used to meet the regulatory flood protection elevation requirements, a floodproofing certificate (FEMA Form 81-65) is required prior to the actual start of any new construction. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain Administrator a certification of the floodproofed design elevation of the reference level and all the attendant utilities in relation to mean sea level. Floodproofing certification shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of, a professional engineer or architect and certified by same. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the certificate data submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder prior to the beginning of construction. Failure to submit the certification or failure to make required corrections shall be cause to deny a Floodplain development permit. Failure to construct in accordance with the certified design shall be cause to withhold the issuance of a certificate of compliance/occupancy.
(5) If a manufactured home is placed within Zone A, AO, AE or A1-30 and the elevation of the chassis is more than 36 inches in height above grade, an engineered foundation certification is required per § 154.40.
(6) If a watercourse is to be altered or relocated, a description of the extent of watercourse alteration or relocation: an engineering report on the effects of the proposed project on the flood-carrying capacity of the watercourse and the effects to properties located both upstream and downstream: and a map showing the location of the proposed watercourse alteration or relocation shall all be submitted by the permit applicant prior to issuance of a floodplain development permit.
(B) Certification exemptions. The following structures, if located within Zone A, AO, AE or A1-30 are exempt from the elevation floodproofing certification requirements specified in divisions (A)(1) and (A)(2) above:
(1) Recreational vehicles meeting requirements of § 154.41;
(2) Temporary structures meeting requirements of § 154.41; and
(Ord. passed 11-7-2005)