(a) Dry floodproofing. No permit or variance shall be issued for a nonresidential structure designed to be watertight below the base flood elevation until the applicant submits a plan certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the floodproofing measures will protect the structure or development to the flood protection elevation and submits a FEMA floodproofing certificate. Floodproofing measures shall be designed, as appropriate, to:
(1) Withstand flood pressures, depths, velocities, uplift and impact forces, and other regional flood factors;
(2) Protect structures to the flood protection elevation;
(3) Anchor structures to foundations to resist flotation and lateral movement;
(4) Minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters; and
(5) Minimize or eliminate discharges into flood waters.
(b) Wet floodproofing. New construction and substantial improvements of any accessory structure less than 600 square feet (including, but not limited to, detached garages, carports, storage and tool sheds, and small boathouses) may be allowed to be wet floodproofed provided that:
(1) The structure is strictly a nonresidential structure used for parking or storage only;
(2) The accessory building or structure must represent a maximum investment of less than 10% of the value of the principal building on the property, or a maximum floor area of 600 square feet;
(3) Designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood waters through the use of openings;
(4) Be constructed of flood-resistant materials;
(5) Be properly anchored to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement;
(6) Mechanical and utility equipment, outlets, and switches must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the BFE plus two feet;
(7) Must comply with the floodway encroachment provisions of the NFIP and this chapter; and
(8) Designed and built to adhere to FEMA Technical Bulletins 1, 2, and 7.
(c) A registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice as outlined in this division. A record of such certification that includes the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which such structures are floodproofed shall be maintained by the floodplain administrator. If the use or occupancy of the building changes in the future to residential, then the wet floodproofing of the structure cannot be used when determining compliance of the structure to the residential construction of this chapter.
(Ord. 94-16, passed 8-2-2016; Ord. 77-21, passed 7-6-2021)