In addition to the general requirements of Article IV, the requirements of this section apply to all development proposed in coastal high hazard areas, also referred to collectively as "Zone VE."
A. 
The placement of structural fill for the purpose of elevating buildings is prohibited.
B. 
All new construction shall be located landward of the reach of mean high tide.
C. 
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.
A. 
Foundations.
(1) 
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.
(2) 
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.
B. 
Elevation requirements.
(1) 
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 18 inches.
(2) 
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides are prohibited.
(3) 
The space below the lowest floor shall either be free of obstruction or, if enclosed by walls, shall meet the requirements of Subsection C. See FEMA Technical Bulletin No. 5, Free of Obstruction Requirements.
C. 
Enclosures below the lowest floor.
(1) 
Enclosures below the lowest floor shall be used solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage.
(2) 
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. See FEMA Technical Bulletin No. 9, Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls.
(3) 
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing system components shall not be mounted on or penetrate through walls that are designed to break away under flood loads.
(4) 
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 than 10 pounds per square foot and no more than 20 pounds per square foot; or
(5) 
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:
(a) 
The walls and partitions below the lowest floor have been designed to collapse from a water load less than that which would occur during the base flood.
(b) 
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.
D. 
Manufactured homes. New or replacement manufactured homes, including substantial improvement of existing manufactured homes, shall:
(1) 
Meet the foundation requirements of Subsection A.
(2) 
Meet the elevation requirements of Subsection B, provided the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member is at or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches.
(3) 
Meet the enclosure requirements of Subsection C.
(4) 
Be installed in accordance with the anchor and tie-down requirements of the building code or the manufacturer's written installation instructions and specifications.
E. 
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.