In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required:
A. Anchoring:
1. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
2. All manufactured homes shall meet the anchoring standards of section 15.32.140 of this chapter.
B. Construction Materials And Methods:
1. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with flood resistant materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage;
2. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage;
3. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be 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; and
4. If within zone AH or AO, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
C. Elevation And Floodproofing:
1. Residential construction, new or substantial improvement of any structure in zone AE, AH, or A1-30 shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated two feet (2') above the base flood elevation. Upon the completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, or verified by the chief building official to be properly elevated.
2. Residential construction, new or substantial improvement, of any structure in zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least two feet (2'), or elevated at least four feet (4') above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, or by the chief building official to be properly elevated.
3. Residential construction, new or substantial improvement of any structure in zone A shall have the lowest floor, including basement, be elevated at least two feet (2') above the base flood elevation. Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, or by the chief building official to be properly elevated.
4. Nonresidential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall either be elevated in conformance with subsection C1 or C2 of this section or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy, and be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certifications shall be provided to the chief building official.
5. All new construction and substantial improvements, that fully enclose areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, and which are subject to flooding, shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement shall either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect and must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
a. Have a minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot (1') above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters; or
b. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect.
6. Manufactured homes shall satisfy the standards in section 15.32.140 of this chapter. (Ord. 2914 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2837, 2016)