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City of Lewes, DE
Sussex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (36) Index
Section R101.1 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is amended by striking the phrase "[NAME OF JURISDICTION]," as such phrase appears therein, and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase "the City of Lewes."
Section R112 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is amended by deleting it in its entirety.
Section R201.3 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is amended by inserting a new sentence at the end of Section R201.3 as follows: "Where terms are explicitly defined in the Municipal Code of the City of Lewes, such definitions shall be controlling in all instances, unless inconsistent with the manifest intent of the Mayor and City Council or the context clearly requires otherwise."
Table R301.2(1) of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes, be and the same is amended by inserting the following climatic and geographic design criteria:
Ground snow load: 20.
Wind speed (mph): 100.
Seismic design category: A.
Subject to damage from weathering: Severe.
Subject to damage from frost line depth: 24.
Subject to damage from termite: Moderate.
Winter design temp: 14.
Ice barrier underlayment required: No.
Flood hazards: March 15, 1977, Flood Insurance Study for Sussex County, Delaware, and Incorporated Areas, dated January 6, 2005, to be revised on March 16, 2015.
Air freezing index: 330.
Mean annual temperature: 55.2° F.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 70-53, Amendment to Section R313, added 12-16-2014, was repealed 10-11-2021.
[Added 12-16-2014]
Sections R322.2, R322.2.1, R322.2.2, and R322.2.3 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same are amended by striking Sections R322.2, R322.2.1, R322.2.2, and R322.2.3 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
R322.2 Flood hazard areas (including A Zones). All areas that have been determined to be prone to flooding but not subject to high-velocity wave action shall be designated as flood hazard areas. Flood hazard areas that have been delineated as subject to wave heights between 1 1/2 feet (457 mm) and three feet (914 mm) shall be designated as Coastal A Zones. All buildings and structures constructed in whole or in part in flood hazard areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Sections R322.2.1 through R322.2.4.
R322.2.1 Elevation requirements.
1.
Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas not designated as Coastal A Zones shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
2.
Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas designated as Coastal A Zones shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches (457 mm) or to the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
3.
In areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least as high above the highest adjacent grade as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus 18 inches or at least 3.5 feet if a depth number is not specified.
4.
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides shall be elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
Exception: Enclosed areas below the design flood elevation, including basements whose floors are not below grade on all sides, shall meet the requirements of Section R322.2.2.
R322.2.2 Enclosed area below design flood elevation.
Enclosed areas, including crawl spaces, that are below the design flood elevation shall:
1.
Be used solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage.
2.
Be provided with flood openings that meet the following criteria:
2.1.
There shall be a minimum of two openings on different sides of each enclosed area; if a building has more than one enclosed area below the design flood elevation, each area shall have openings on exterior walls.
2.2.
The total net area of all openings shall be at least one square inch (645 mm2) for each square foot (0.093 m2) of enclosed area, or the openings shall be designed and the construction documents shall include a statement by a registered design professional that the design of the openings will provide for equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters as specified in Section 2.6.2.2 of ASCE 24.
2.3.
The bottom of each opening shall be one foot (305 mm) or less above the adjacent ground level.
2.4.
Openings shall be not less than three inches (76 mm) in any direction in the plane of the wall.
2.5.
Any louvers, screens or other opening covers shall allow the automatic flow of floodwaters into and out of the enclosed area.
2.6.
Openings installed in doors and windows, that meet requirements 2.1 through 2.5, are acceptable; however, doors and windows without installed openings do not meet the requirements of this section.
R322.2.3. Foundation design and construction.
Foundation walls for all buildings and structures erected in flood hazard areas shall meet the requirements of Chapter 4.
[Added 12-16-2014]
Section R322.2 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is further amended by inserting a new Section R322.2.4 as follows:
R322.2.4 Construction documents. The construction documents shall include documentation that is prepared and sealed by a registered design professional that the design and methods of construction to be used meet the applicable criteria of this section.
[Added 12-16-2014]
Section R322.3.2 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is amended by striking Section R322.3.2 in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
R322.3.2 Elevation requirements.
1.
All buildings and structures erected within coastal high-hazard areas shall be elevated so that the lowest portion of all structural members supporting the lowest floor, with the exception of mat or raft foundations, piling, pile caps, columns, grade beams and bracing, is located at or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
2.
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides are prohibited.
3.
The use of fill for structural support is prohibited.
4.
Minor grading, and the placement of minor quantities of fill, shall be permitted for landscaping and for drainage purposes under and around buildings and for support of parking slabs, pool decks, patios and walkways.
Exception: Walls and partitions enclosing areas below the design flood elevation shall meet the requirements of Sections R322.3.4 and R322.3.5.
Section P2603.5.1 of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes be and the same is amended by deleting Section P2603.5.1 in its entirety.