A.
No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any
kind shall be made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities
which may be affected by such action have been notified by the municipality,
and until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained
from the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Dams, Waterways
and Wetlands. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
and Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Community
Planning, shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation
of any watercourse.
B.
Any new construction, development, uses or activities
allowed within any identified floodplain area, shall be undertaken
in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter
and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
A.
With any FW (Floodway Area), the following provisions
apply:
(1)
Any new construction, development, use, activity,
or encroachment that would cause any increase in the one-hundred-year-flood
heights shall be prohibited.
(2)
No new construction or development shall be allowed,
unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection,
Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands.
B.
Within any FE (Special Floodplain Area), no new construction
or development shall be allowed unless it is demonstrated that the
cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with
all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase
the elevation of the one-hundred-year flood more than one foot at
any point.
C.
Within any FE (Special Floodplain Area) or FA (General
Floodplain Area), the following provisions apply:
(1)
No new construction or development shall be located
within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of
any watercourse, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Dams, Waterways and Wetlands.
(2)
Any new construction or development, which would cause
any increase in the one-hundred-year-flood heights shall be prohibited
within any floodway area.
A.
Residential structures. Within any identified floodplain
area, any new construction or substantial improvement of a residential
structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated
up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
B.
Nonresidential structures.
(1)
Within any identified floodplain area, any new construction
or substantial improvement of a nonresidential structure shall have
the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the
regulatory flood elevation, or be designed and constructed so that
the space enclosed by such structure shall remain either completely
or essentially dry during any flood up to that height.
(2)
Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, having
a lowest floor which is not elevated to at least 1 1/2 feet above
the one-hundred-year-flood elevation shall be floodproofed in a completely
or essentially dry manner in accordance with the W1 or W2 space classification
standards contained in the publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations"
published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended
March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and
specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement
certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which
states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in
conformance with the above-referenced standards.
C.
Space below the lowest floor.
(1)
Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (including
basement) is prohibited.
(2)
Partially enclosed space below the lowest floor (including
basement) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle,
building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement,
shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic
forces on exterior walls. The term "partially enclosed space" also
includes crawl spaces. Designs for meeting this requirement must either
be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or
meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a)
A minimum of two openings having a net total
area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed
space.
(b)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher
than one foot above grade.
(c)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers,
etc., or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the
automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
D.
Accessory structures. Structures accessory to a principal
building need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall
comply, at a minimum, with the following requirements:
(1)
The structure shall not be designed or used for human
habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to
the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal
use or activity.
(2)
Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet.
(3)
The structure will have a low damage potential.
(4)
The structure will be located on the site so as to
cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.
(5)
Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be at least
1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year-flood elevation.
(6)
Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances
such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
(7)
Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
(8)
The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent
flotation or movement and shall be designed to automatically provide
for the entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing
hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement
must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a)
A minimum of two openings having a net total
area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed
space.
(b)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher
than one foot above grade.
(c)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers,
etc., or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the
automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
The following minimum standards shall apply
for all construction and development proposed within any identified
floodplain area:
A.
Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1)
Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building
line from all points;
(2)
Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary
landfills shall not be permitted;
(3)
Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability
and resistance to erosion, scouring, or settling;
(4)
Be no steeper than one foot vertical to two feet horizontal,
unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted
to and approved by the Building Permit Officer; and
(5)
Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely
affect adjacent properties.
B.
Drainage facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall
be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and
efficient manner. The system shall insure proper drainage along streets,
and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall
also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent
properties.
C.
Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.
(1)
All new or replacement water and sanitary sewer facilities
and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize
or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of floodwaters.
(2)
Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed
to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.
(3)
No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located
within any identified floodplain area except in strict compliance
with all state and local regulations for such systems. If any such
system is permitted, it shall be located so as to avoid impairment
to it, or contamination from it, during a flood.
D.
Other utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines,
electrical and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where
possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during
a flood.
E.
Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets
shall be no more than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
F.
Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or, in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and not listed in § 97-25, Development which may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
G.
Placement of buildings and structures. All buildings
and structures shall be designed, located, and constructed so as to
offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed
to have a minimum effect upon the flow and height of floodwater.
H.
Anchoring.
(1)
All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored
in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation,
collapse, or lateral movement.
(2)
All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks, and other
similar objects or components located below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
I.
Floors, walls and ceilings.
(1)
Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of
the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain without causing
structural damage to the building.
(2)
Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be designed and constructed of materials that are
"water-resistant" and will withstand inundation.
(4)
Windows, doors, and other components at or below the
regulatory flood elevation shall be made of metal or other "water-resistant"
material.
J.
Paints and adhesives.
(1)
Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory
flood elevation shall be of "marine" or "water-resistant" quality.
(2)
Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.)
shall be finished with a "marine" or "water-resistant" paint or other
finishing material.
L.
Equipment. Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning
and ventilating units, and other electrical, mechanical or utility
equipment or apparatus shall not be located below the regulatory flood
elevation.
M.
Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems
shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters into
the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters. Additional
provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the
event that floodwater infiltration occurs.
A.
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management
Act, and the regulations adopted by the Department of Community Affairs
as required by the Act, any new or substantially improved structure
which will be used for the production or storage of any of the following
dangerous materials or substances; or will be used for any activity
requiring the maintenance of a supply of more than 550 gallons, or
other comparable volume, of any of the following dangerous materials
or substances on the premises; or will involve the production, storage,
or use of any amount of radioactive substances, shall be subject to
the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable
provisions. The following list of materials and substances are considered
dangerous to human life:
(1)
Acetone.
(2)
Ammonia.
(3)
Benzene.
(4)
Calcium carbide.
(5)
Carbon disulfide.
(6)
Celluloid.
(7)
Chlorine.
(8)
Hydrochloric acid.
(9)
Hydrocyanic acid.
(10)
Magnesium.
(11)
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(12)
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(13)
Phosphorus.
(14)
Potassium.
(15)
Sodium.
(16)
Sulfur and sulfur products.
(17)
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides,
and rodenticides).
(18)
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances
are not otherwise regulated.
B.
Within any FW (Floodway Area), any structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be prohibited.
C.
Within any FE (Special Floodplain Area) or FA (General Floodplain Area), any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
D.
Standards.
(1)
Where permitted within any floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be:
(2)
Any such structure, or part thereof, that will be
built below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed
in accordance with the standards for completely dry floodproofing
contained in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations" (U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, June 1972 as amended March 1992), or with some
other equivalent watertight standard.
A.
Within any FW (Floodway Area), manufactured homes
shall be prohibited.
B.
Within any FA (General Floodplain Area) or FE (Special
Floodplain Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited within the
area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
C.
Where permitted within any floodplain area, all manufactured
homes, and any improvements thereto, shall be:
