In addition to the general requirements of Article IV, the requirements of this article apply to all development proposed in coastal high-hazard areas, also referred to collectively as "Zone V."
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 12 inches. [SB 64 Recommended Standard 7A; Require 12 inches of freeboard (height above minimum elevation)]
(2) 
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides are prohibited.
(3) 
No existing structure which encroaches in any required setback area(s) shall be raised to an elevation higher than the minimum required so as to position the lowest horizontal structural member supporting the lowest floor (excluding the pilings, pile caps, columns, grade beams, and bracing), at the base flood elevation plus Town-mandated freeboard plus a vertical tolerance of 0.10 foot unless otherwise provided for in Chapter 185, Zoning, or repositioned so as to no longer encroach.
(4) 
Existing structures required to be elevated to conform with the requirements of this chapter shall comply with the building height standard as identified in Town Code Chapter 185, Zoning, Table 2, Bulk Zoning Standards in All Districts.[1] To resolve the situation of an existing structure that is substantially damaged but which would exceed the Town's building height restriction if elevated as per the requirements of this chapter:
(a) 
The structure may be modified so as not to exceed the Town's building height standard after complying with the lowest floor elevation requirements of this chapter; or
(b) 
The applicant may apply to the Town Board of Adjustment for a variance. If applying for a variance the applicant:
[1] 
Shall first seek a variance to the Town's building height standard through the administrative process described in Article X (Board of Adjustment) of Chapter 185, Zoning; then
[2] 
If a variance to the building height restriction is not granted, the applicant may seek a variance from the additional building elevation above base flood elevation required by this chapter as per Article VII. Failure to obtain a variance to the building height restriction is not, by itself, sufficient justification to warrant a variance per Article VII.
[3] 
If neither type of variance is granted, the structure shall either be modified so as to conform to all requirements of Chapter 185, Zoning, and this chapter or razed.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 2, Bulk Zoning Standards in All Districts, is included as an attachment to Ch. 185, Zoning.
(5) 
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. Installation of new manufactured homes is not a permitted use in the Town of Dewey Beach. 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 that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member is at or above the base flood elevation plus 12 inches. [SB 64 Recommended Standard 7A; Require 12 inches of freeboard (height above minimum elevation)]
(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.