(A) Residential construction.
(1) New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
(2) Within any AO Zone, all new construction and substantial improvements or residential structure shall have the lowest floor elevation above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the community's FIRM (minimum of two feet if no depth number is specified).
(B) Nonresidential construction.
(1) New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
(2) Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water to the level of the base flood elevation. In order to be eligible for lower flood insurance rates, the structure should be floodproofed at least one foot above the base flood elevation;
(3) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
(4) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the standards of this division. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 1472.11(C).
(C) Accessory structures. An exemption to the elevation or dry floodproofing standards may be granted for accessory structures (such as sheds, detached garages) containing 576 square feet or less in gross floor area. Such structures shall meet the encroachment provisions of § 1472.18(A) and the following additional standards:
(1) They shall not be used for human habitation;
(2) They shall be constructed of flood- resistant materials;
(3) They shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of flood waters;
(4) They shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation;
(5) Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be elevated or floodproofed to or above the level of base flood elevation; and
(6) They shall meet the opening requirements of division (E) of this section.
(D) Manufactured homes and recreational vehicles. The following standards shall apply to all new and substantially improved manufactured homes not subject to the manufactured home park requirements of Ohio R.C. 3733.01:
(1) Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with § 1472.16(A)(2).
(2) Manufactured homes shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above the base flood elevation.
(3) Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A, A1-30, or AE shall 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 the permit requirements of § 1472.16(A) and this division (D), related to manufactured homes.
(E) Enclosures below lowest floor. The following provisions apply to all new and substantially improved residential and nonresidential non-basement structures that are elevated to or above the base flood elevation using pilings, columns, posts or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to allow unimpeded movement of flood waters:
(1) Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must:
(a) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or
(b) Meet or exceed the following criteria:
1. A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area shall be provided.
2. The bottom of all openings shall be not higher than one foot above grade.
3. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.
(2) Any enclosure which meets the criteria shall be considered as having met the requirements of § 1472.16(A).
(F) Subdivisions and large developments. In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have not been provided in accordance with § 1472.06 or § 1472.14(B), the following standards apply to all subdivision proposals, including manufactured home subdivisions, and other proposed developments containing at least 50 lots or five acres (whichever is less):
(1) The applicant shall provide base flood elevation data performed in accordance with standard engineering practices;
(2) If division (F)(1) of this section is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of § 1472.16 and this section.
(`82 Code, § 1472.16) (Ord. 86-89, passed 12-16-86; Am. Ord. 2004-40, passed 4-27-04)