Town of Coventry, RI Use Regulations

Existing state regulations.

The special flood hazard areas are established as a floodplain overlay district. All development in the district, including structural and nonstructural activities, whether permitted by right or by special permit must be in compliance with the following:

(a)

Rhode Island State Building Code (As established under R.I.G.L. § 23-27.3);

(b)

Coastal Resources Management Program, Coastal Resource Management Council (R.I.G.L. § 46-23);

(c)

Endangered Species Act, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (R.I.G.L. § 20-1-2);

(d)

Freshwater Wetlands Act, Department of Environmental Management (R.I.G.L. § 46-23-6);

(e)

Minimum standards related to individual sewage disposal systems, Department of Environmental Management (R.I.G.L. § 46-12);

(f)

Water quality regulations, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (R.I.G.L. §§ 42-17.1, 42-17.6 and 46-12).

(2)

Any variances from the provisions and requirements of the above-referenced state regulations may only be granted in accordance with the required variance procedures of these state regulations.

Specific use regulations.

(1)

In Zones A, A1-A30 and AE, along watercourses that have a regulatory floodway designated on the Kent County FIRM, encroachments are prohibited in the said regulatory floodway which would result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

(2)

All subdivision, other land development proposals and new and substantially improved residential or nonresidential structures must be designed to ensure that:

(a)

Such proposals minimize flood damage;

(b)

All public utilities and facilities are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;

(c)

Adequate drainage is provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards;

(d)

On-site waste disposal is designed to avoid impairment or contamination;

(e)

New and replacement water supply and sanitary sewage systems shall minimize or eliminate infiltration;

(f)

Base flood elevation data for subdivision or other development proposals greater than 20 lots or five acres;

(g)

All residential structures within A1-30, AE and AH Zones have their lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation;

(h)

All residential structures in AO Zones have their lowest floor (including basement) to or above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as FIRM's depth number;

(i)

All nonresidential structures within A1-30, AE and AH Zones have their lowest floor elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation;

(j)

All nonresidential structures within an AO Zone have their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to or at least as high as the depth number of the FIRM;

(k)

For floodproofed nonresidential structures, a registered engineer or architect shall certify that the design and methods of construction meet the NFIP requirements;

(l)

Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are used solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which is subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing the entry and exit of floodwaters in accordance with NFIP regulation 60.3(c)(5);

(m)

In Zones AO and AH, drainage paths shall be installed around structures on slopes to guide water away from structures;

(n)

Until a regulatory floodway is designated, no encroachment may increase the base flood level more than one foot;

(o)

For subdivisions proposals of greater than 20 lots, contour levels of site and elevation levels for each two feet for proposed structures must be shown on the plans.

(3)

As applicable, manufactured homes or mobile homes to be placed or substantially improved in a mobile home park or expansion thereof located in an A-1, AH or AE Zone must meet the following criteria:

(a)

Be elevated such that the lowest floor is at or above the BFE;

(b)

Be securely anchored;

(c)

The chassis is supported by reinforced piers no less than 36 inches in height above grade and securely anchored.

(4)

In A1-30, AH and AE Zones, all recreational vehicles to be placed on a site must be elevated and anchored; or be on the site for less than 180 consecutive days; or be fully licensed and highway ready.

(5)

Detached accessory structures in Zones A, AE, A1-30, AO and AH (i.e., garages, sheds) do not have to meet the elevation or dry floodproofing requirement if the following standards are met:

(a)

The structure is no more than 500 square feet in size or has a value less than $3,000;

(b)

The structure has unfinished interiors and must not be used for human habitation. An apartment, office or other finished space over a detached garage is considered human habitation and would require the structure to be elevated;

(c)

The structure is used as a barn or solely for keeping of animals;

(d)

The structure is used solely for parking of vehicles and/or limited storage;

(e)

The accessory must be wet floodproofed and designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwater;

(f)

The accessory structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement;

(g)

Service facilities such as electrical, mechanical and heating equipment must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation;

(h)

The structure must not increase the flood levels in the floodway.