(A) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated a minimum of 18 inches above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the standard of this division as proposed in § 153.27(A)(1), is satisfied.
(B) Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated a minimum of 18 inches above the base flood level or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below a depth of 18 inches above the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. 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 which includes the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which such structures are flood proofed shall be maintained by the Floodplain Administrator.
(C) Enclosures. New construction and substantial improvements, with fully enclosed areas 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 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 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.
(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.
(D) Manufactured homes.
(1) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within Zone A on a community's FHBM or FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices which minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated such that the bottom of the structural supporting I-beam is 18 inches above the established base flood elevation or three feet above highest adjacent grade if no base flood elevation is established; 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.
(2) Require that manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the bottom of the structural supporting I-beam is 18 inches above the established base flood elevation or three feet above highest adjacent grade if no base flood elevation is established; and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(E) Recreational vehicles. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM either (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or (ii) be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or (iii) meet the permit requirements of § 153.27(A), and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in division (D) of this section. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.
(F) Appurtenant Structures. New construction of appurtenant structures or substantial improvements to appurtenant structures shall have the lowest finished floor elevated a minimum of 18 inches above the base flood elevation; or shall be "wet flood proofed" in accordance with NFIP Technical Bulletin 7-93.
(G) Fill in an Area of Special Flood Hazard. Any fill placed in an area of special flood hazard shall be mitigated such that there is a zero rise in the base flood elevation, and no adverse impacts to surrounding properties.
(Ord. 14-0715, passed 7-15-2014) Penalty, see § 153.99