In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided as set forth in Section 1344.05 or subsection (f) hereof, the following provisions are required:
(a) Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
(b) Nonresidential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
(1) Be floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water to the level of the base flood elevation. In order to be eligible for the lower flood insurance rates, the structure should be floodproofed at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
(2) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
(3) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the standards of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in Section 1344.10(a) (3).
(c) Accessory Structures. An exemption to the elevation or dry floodproofing standards may be granted for accessory structures (e.g. sheds, detached garages) containing 576 square feet or less in gross floor area. Such structures shall meet the following standards:
(1) Such structures shall not be used for human habitation.
(2) Such structures shall be designed to have low flood damage potential.
(3) Such structures shall be constructed and placed on the building site so as to offer the minimum resistance to the flow of flood waters.
(4) Such structures shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation.
(5) Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment shall be elevated or floodproofed.
(d) Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles. The following standards shall apply to all new and substantially improved manufactured homes not subject to the manufactured home requirements of Ohio R.C. 3733.01:
(1) Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with Section 1344.14(x)(2).
(2) Manufactured homes shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above the base flood elevation.
These standards also apply to recreational vehicles that are either located on sites for 1$0 days or more or are not fully licensed and ready for highway use.
(e) Enclosures Below the Lowest Floor. The following provisions apply to all new and substantially improved residential and nonresidential structures which are elevated to the base flood elevation using pilings, columns or posts. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor 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 shall:
(1) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect; or
(2) Meet or exceed the following 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 no higher than one foot above grade.
C. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other openings, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(f) Subdivisions and Large Developments. In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have not been provided in accordance with Sections 1344.05, the following standards shall apply to all subdivision proposals, including manufactured home subdivisions and other proposed developments containing at least fifty lots or five acres (whichever is less):
(1) The applicant shall provide base flood elevation data performed in accordance with standard engineering practices.
(2) If paragraph (f)(1) hereof is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Section 1344.14 and this section.
(Ord. 95-34. Passed 11-14-95.)