The purpose of the flood hazard area is to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the community; to reduce financial burdens imposed on the community, its governmental units and its individuals by preventing excessive development in areas subject to periodic flooding; to minimize danger to public health by protecting water supply and natural drainage; and to promote responsible floodproofing measures within flood hazard areas.
The flood hazard area shall be as shown on an overlay to the Borough Zoning Map or a Map prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and shall include those areas subject to inundation by floodwaters of the one-hundred-year frequency. The boundaries of the flood hazard may be revised or modified by the Borough Council where there are changes through natural or other causes, or where further detailed engineering studies or information indicate the need and provide the basis for such modification or revision.
This article supersedes any regulation currently in effect in the flood hazard area. However, any existing regulations shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that they are more restrictive.
A. 
General.
(1) 
The development and/or use of any land in the flood hazard area shall be permitted provided that the development and/or use adheres to the restrictions and requirements of this and all other applicable codes and ordinances in force in the Borough.
(2) 
All first-floor levels (including basements) in residential structures shall be constructed at an elevation of at least one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.
(3) 
Nonresidential structures, or parts thereof, may be below the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood, provided the structures are designed to preclude and/or withstand inundation to an elevation of at least one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.
B. 
Fill.
(1) 
All fill shall extend laterally 15 feet beyond the building line from all points.
(2) 
All fill shall consist of soil and/or small rock materials only. Sanitary fills shall be prohibited. The fill material shall be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion or scouring.
(3) 
Fill slopes shall be no steeper than 2:1 (one vertical unit to two horizontal units).
(4) 
Fill shall be permitted only to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
C. 
Anchoring.
(1) 
All buildings or structures shall be anchored to prevent movement or collapse.
(2) 
All air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks located at or below the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation.
D. 
Placement of buildings and structures.
(1) 
All buildings and structures shall be designed, constructed and placed so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water.
(2) 
The following shall not be placed or caused to be placed in the flood hazard area: fences (except two-wire fences), other structures or other matter which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of water, or that will catch or collect debris carried by such water, or that is placed where the natural flow of the stream or floodwaters would carry the same downstream to the damage or detriment of either public or private property.
E. 
Floors, walls and ceilings.
(1) 
Wood flooring below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be prohibited.
(2) 
All finished flooring below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be made of materials which are stable and resistant to water damage resulting from submersion.
(3) 
All carpeting or carpet cushions employed as a finished flooring surface below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be made of materials which are resistant to water damage resulting from submersion.
(4) 
Basement ceilings below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall have sufficient wet strength and be so installed as to survive inundation.
F. 
Electrical systems.
(1) 
All electrical water heaters, electric furnaces, and other critical electrical installations shall be prohibited below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.
(2) 
Electrical distribution panels shall be placed at least three feet above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.
(3) 
Separate electrical circuits serving areas below the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be dropped from above.
G. 
Plumbing.
(1) 
Water heaters, furnaces, and other critical mechanical installations shall be prohibited below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood.
(2) 
No part of any on-lot sewage disposal system shall be allowed within the flood hazard area.
(3) 
Water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to preclude infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the system into floodwaters.
(4) 
All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to preclude the infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.
H. 
Paints and adhesives.
(1) 
Adhesives used below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall have a bonding strength that is unaffected by inundation.
(2) 
Doors and all wood trim used below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be sealed with a waterproof paint or similar product.
(3) 
Paints or other finishes used below an elevation of one foot above the established flood elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be capable of surviving inundation.
I. 
Storage. No materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or in times of flooding could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, shall be stored in the flood hazard area unless they are properly anchored and/or floodproofed to preclude their causing damage to life and property.
A document certified by a registered engineer or architect that adequate precautions against flood damage have been taken with respect to the design of any building or structure, and that plans for construction adhere to § 220-65 hereof shall be submitted to the Building Permit Officer prior to the issuance of a building permit.
A copy of all plans for new construction in the flood hazard area shall be submitted to the Adams County Soil and Water Conservation District for review and comment prior to the issuance of a building permit.