The following standards apply to all developments in special flood hazard areas, regardless of the type of proposed development or the risk zone of the proposed site.
(A) All new and substantial construction or substantial improvements shall be designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
(B) All new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(C) All new construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage.
(D) All critical facilities constructed or substantially improved in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) must be constructed or modified to exceed 500-year flood protection standards or located outside the SFHA.
(E) The placement or construction of all new structures must be in full compliance with the provisions of this code.
(F) For the purposes of this code, all mixed-use structures are subject to the more stringent requirements of residential structures.
(G) A substantial improvement or substantial damage to an existing structure triggers a requirement to bring the entire structure into full compliance with the provisions of this code. The existing structure, as well as any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement, must meet the standards of new construction in this code.
(H) Any improvement to an existing structure that is less than a substantial improvement requires the improvement, but not the existing structure, to be in full compliance with the provisions of this code.
(I) All manufactured homes to be placed within a special flood hazard area on a community’s FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices which minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces. Screw augers or expanding anchors will not satisfy the requirement of this provision.
(J) The design or location of electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment for new structures, or for any improvements to an existing structure, must prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during base flood events.
(K) The design of all new and replacement water supply systems must minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system during base flood events.
(L) The design of all new and replacement sanitary sewage systems must minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system during flooding events, and must prevent sewage discharge from the systems into floodwaters.
(M) The placement of on-site waste disposal systems must avoid impairment to, or contamination from, the disposal system during base flood events.
(N) Construction of basement foundations in any special flood hazard area is prohibited.
(O) New construction and substantial improvements, with fully enclosed areas (such as garages and crawlspaces) below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are below the base flood elevation 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 must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) A minimum of two openings on separate walls 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;
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade; and
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(P) The placement of recreational vehicles (RV) in special flood hazard areas must either:
(1) Be temporary, as demonstrated by the RV being fully licensed, being on wheels or a jacking system, attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, having no permanently attached additions, and being immobile for no more than 180 consecutive days; or else
(2) Meet all provisions of this Code applicable to manufactured home structures.
(Q) All proposals for the development of a residential subdivision, commercial business park or manufactured home park/subdivision must have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
(R) All proposals for the development of a residential subdivision, commercial business park or a manufactured home park/subdivision must include an adequate drainage plan to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(S) All proposals for the development of a commercial business park or a manufactured home park/subdivision must include an adequate evacuation plan for the escape of citizens from affected nonresidential structures during flooding events.
(Ord. 417, passed 1-20-09)