Article III. Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction
13.10.200 Standards of construction.
In all areas of special flood hazard, the following standards are required:
(A) Anchoring (44 CFR Section 60.3(b)(8)).
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy; and
(2) All manufactured homes shall meet the anchoring standards of Section 13.10.240(B).
(B) Construction Materials and Methods.
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage (44 CFR Section 60.3(a)(3)(ii));
(2) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage (44 CFR Section 60.3(a)(3)(iii));
(3) All new construction, substantial improvement and other proposed new development shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding (44 CFR Section 60.3(a)(3)(iv)); and
(4) Require within Zones AH or AO adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)(11)).
(C) Elevation and Floodproofing.
(1) New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basements, elevated at or above the regulatory flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection (C)(3) of this section. Upon the completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and provided to the floodplain administrator (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)).
(2) New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in Zone AO shall have the lowest floor, including basements, higher than the highest adjacent grade, at least one (1) foot higher than the depth number on the FIRM, or at least two (2) feet if no depth number is specified. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection (C)(3) of this section. Upon completion of the structure a registered professional engineer shall certify to the floodplain administrator that the elevation of the structure meets this standard (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)(7)).
(3) Nonresidential construction shall either be elevated in conformance with subsection (C)(1) or (C)(2) of this section or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)(3)):
(a) Be floodproofed so that below the regulatory flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
(b) Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
(c) Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this section are satisfied. Such certifications shall be provided to the floodplain administrator (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)(4)).
(4) Require, for all 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 to meet or exceed the following minimum criteria (44 CFR Section 60.3(c)(5)):
(a) A minimum of two (2) openings on different sides of each enclosed area that have a total net area of not less than one (1) 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 (1) foot above grade; and
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(5) Manufactured homes shall meet the standards in Section 13.10.240. (Ord. No. 2004-16, § 4, 8-17-04; Ord. No. 2005-18, § 2, 6-21-05; Ord. No. 2015-05, §§ 1 – 4, 7-21-15. 1976 Code § 19-5-1)