(A) Residential structures.
(1) In A, AE, A1-30, and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 151.051(D)(2)(b).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 through 405 as amended) shall be utilized.
(B) Nonresidential structures.
(1) In A, AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to at least one and one-half feet above the regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
(a) Is floodproofed so that the structure is water-tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
(b) Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
(2) In A Zones, where there no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above at least one and one-half feet above the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 151.051(D)(2)(b).
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified on the FIRM.
(4) Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made water-tight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled Flood-Proofing Regulations published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above referenced standards.
(5) The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 through 405 as amended) shall be utilized.
(C) Space below the lowest floor.
(1) Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement) is prohibited. The term fully enclosed space includes crawl spaces.
(2) Partially enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term fully partially enclosed space also includes crawl spaces.
(3) Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers and the like or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(D) Accessory structures. Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
(1) The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material and equipment related to the principal use or activity;
(2) Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet;
(3) The structure will have a low damage potential;
(4) The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters;
(5) Power lines, wiring and outlets will be elevated to at least one and one-half feet above the regulatory flood elevation;
(6) Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers and the like are prohibited;
(7) Sanitary facilities are prohibited; and
(8) The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space;
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers and the like or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(Ord. 2012-1, passed 6-11-2012) Penalty, see § 151.999
Editor’s note:
The requirement to elevate and floodproof to the regulatory flood elevation (or the base flood elevation plus one and one-half foot of freeboard) as stated in § 151.066 is an alternative to the basic national flood insurance program’s (NFIP’s) requirement to elevate and floodproof to the BFE. The elevation of structures an additional one and one-half foot of freeboard reduces insurance premium rates and also provides a greater level of protection from flood to these structures.