In addition to the general requirements of Article III, the requirements of this article apply to all development proposed in coastal high-hazard areas, also referred to collectively as "V Zones."
Generally, any reduction in the dimensions of dunes increases the
potential for flood damage. Site preparations shall not alter sand
dunes unless an engineering analysis demonstrates that the potential
for flood damage is not increased.
Buildings and structures shall be supported on pilings or columns
and shall be adequately anchored to such pilings or columns. Piling
shall have adequate soil penetrations to resist the combined wave
and wind loads (lateral and uplift). Water loading values used shall
be those associated with the base flood. Wind loading values shall
be those required by applicable building standards. Pile embedment
shall include consideration of decreased resistance capacity caused
by scour of soil strata surrounding the piling.
Slabs, pools, pool decks and walkways shall be located and constructed
to be structurally independent of buildings and structures and their
foundations to prevent transfer of flood loads to the buildings and
structures during conditions of flooding, scour or erosion from wave-velocity
flow conditions, and shall be designed to minimize debris impacts
to adjacent properties and public infrastructure.
The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member supporting
the lowest floor (excluding the pilings, pile caps, columns, grade
beams and bracing), shall be located at or above the base flood elevation
plus one foot.
Walls and partitions are permitted below the elevated floor, provided
that such walls and partitions are designed to break away under flood
loads and are not part of the structural support of the building or
structure.
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing system components shall not
be mounted on or penetrate through walls that are designed to break
away under flood loads.
Walls intended to break away under flood loads shall be constructed
with insect screening or open lattice, or shall be designed to break
away or collapse without causing collapse, displacement or other structural
damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation
system. Such walls, framing and connections shall have a design safe
loading resistance of not less than10 pounds per square foot and no
more than 20 pounds per square foot; or
Where wind loading values of the local building requirements exceed
20 pounds per square foot, the applicant shall submit a certification
prepared and sealed by a licensed professional engineer or licensed
professional architect that:
The walls and partitions below the base flood elevation plus
one foot have been designed to collapse from a water load less than
that which would occur during the base flood.
The elevated portion of the building and supporting foundation
system have been designed to withstand the effects of wind and flood
loads acting simultaneously on all building components (structural
and nonstructural). Water loading values used shall be those associated
with the base flood; wind loading values used shall be those required
by the local building requirements.
Be installed in accordance with the anchor and tie-down requirements
of the building code or the manufacturer's written installation
instructions and specifications.
Certification of design. The applicant shall include in the application
a certification prepared by a licensed professional engineer or a
licensed professional architect that the design and methods of construction
to be used meet the applicable criteria of these regulations.