The provisions of this chapter do not require any changes or improvements to be made to lawfully existing structures. However, when an improvement is made to any existing structure, the provisions of §
187-31 shall apply.
The following provisions shall apply whenever any improvement
is made to an existing structure located within any identified floodplain
area:
A. No expansion or enlargement of an existing structure shall be allowed within any identified floodplain area that would cause any increase in base flood elevation. In A Area/District(s), base flood elevations are determined using the methodology in §
187-18D.
B. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure to an extent or amount of 50% or more
of its market value shall constitute a substantial improvement and
shall be undertaken only in full compliance with the provisions of
this chapter.
C. The above activity shall also address the requirements of 34 Pa.
Code, as amended, and the 2009 International Building Code and Appendix
G of the 2009 International Residential Code.
D. Within any Floodway Area/District (see §
187-18A), no new construction or development shall be allowed unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office and is consistent with the Borough's Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance.
E. Within any AE Area/District without floodway (see §
187-18C), no new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
[Amended 8-19-2015 by Ord. No. 1297]
F. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure, to an extent or amount of less than
50% of its market value, shall be elevated and/or floodproofed to
the greatest extent possible. At a minimum, simple things such as
elevating the water heater, putting outside heat pumps up on cinder
blocks, sealing ductwork, installing backflow valves, battery backup
sump pumps, flood shielding for doorways and other openings in areas
of shallow flooding, etc., shall be addressed following an event.
G. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure which has been the subject of prior
incident for which flood insurance proceeds were paid shall be elevated
and/or floodproofed to the greatest extent possible. At a minimum,
simple things such as elevating the water heater, putting outside
heat pumps up on cinder blocks, sealing ductwork, installing backflow
valves, battery backup sump pumps, flood shielding for doorways and
other openings in areas of shallow flooding, etc., shall be addressed
following an event.
H. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind that meets the definition of "repetitive loss"/cumulative substantial
damage, substantial improvement shall be undertaken only in full compliance
with the provisions of this chapter.