§ 5.52.200. Standards of construction—Elevation and floodproofing

A.

New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in subsection 5.52.200.B Upon completion of the structure the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.

B.

Nonresidential construction shall either be elevated in conformance with subsection 5.52.200.A or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities:

1.

Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;

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 standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certifications shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.

C.

Require, for all new construction and substantial improvements, that fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that 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.

Either 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 the flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters; or

2.

Be certified to comply with a local floodproofing standard approved by the Federal Insurance Administration.

D.

Manufactured homes shall also meet the standards in section 5.52.230.