(A) (1) New construction and substantial improvements with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are to be used solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement, and 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.
(2) Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be not higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(B) The development and construction of the structure must conform with the provision in FEMA/Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) Technical Bulletins 1 and 2. Certification and documentation from a professional, licensed engineer or architect is required if the structure’s lowest floor is built below the BFE.
(Ord. 2020-12-1, passed 12-14-2020)