[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.01]
1. Alteration or Relocation of Watercourse.
A. No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be
made to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities which may
be affected by such action have been notified by the municipality,
and until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained
from the Department of Environmental Protection, Regional Office.
B. No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be
made to any watercourse unless it can be shown that the activity will
not reduce or impede the flood carrying capacity of the watercourse
in any way.
C. In addition, the FEMA and Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or
relocation of any watercourse.
2. Submit technical or scientific data to FEMA for a letter of map revision
(LOMR) within six months of the completion of any new construction,
development, or other activity resulting in changes in the BFE.
3. Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within
any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance
with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable
codes, ordinances and regulations.
[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.02]
1. Residential Structures.
A. In AE, A1-30, and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement
shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or
above, the regulatory flood elevation.
B. In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with §
8-302, Subsection 1C(2)(b) of this chapter.
C. In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall
have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest
adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the
FIRM.
D. The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International
Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof adopted
in accord with the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, as amended,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa.
Code, Chapters 401 — 405, as amended, shall be utilized.
2. Nonresidential Structures.
A. In AE, A1-30 and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement
of a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including
basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation,
or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the
regulatory flood elevation:
(1)
Is floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls
substantially impermeable to the passage of water.
(2)
Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
B. In A Zones, where there no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with §
8-302, Subsection
1C(2)(b), of this chapter.
C. In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall
have their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above
the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number
specified on the FIRM.
D. Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below
the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance
with the W1 or W2 space classification standards contained in the
publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations" published by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or
with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications
for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified
by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that
the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance
with the above-referenced standards.
E. The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International
Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof adopted
in accord with the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. § 7210.101
et seq., as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and
ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 — 405, as amended, shall
be utilized.
3. Space below the Lowest Floor.
A. Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements)
which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access,
or incidental storage in an area other than a basement, shall be designed
and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of flood
waters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior
walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.
B. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by
a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet or exceed
the following minimum criteria:
(1)
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(2)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade.
(3)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of floodwaters.
4. Accessory Structures. Structures accessory to a principal building
need not be elevated or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply,
at a minimum, with the following requirements:
A. The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation,
but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage
of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or
activity.
B. Floor area shall not exceed 600 square feet.
C. The structure will have a low damage potential.
D. The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least
obstruction to the flow of flood waters.
E. Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory
flood elevation.
F. Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces,
heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
G. Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
H. The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or
movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry
and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces
on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be
certified by a registered professional engineer or architect, or meet
or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1)
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(2)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade.
(3)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other
coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry
and exit of flood waters.
I. Paints and Adhesives.
(1)
Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be of "marine" or "water-resistant" quality.
(2)
Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall
be of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) located
at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be finished with
a "marine" or "water-resistant" paint or other finishing material.
(4)
Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction
Code, 34 Pa. Code § 401 et seq., as amended, shall apply.
[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.03]
1. The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
A. Fill. If fill is used, it shall:
(1)
Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from
all points.
(2)
Consist of soil or small rock materials only. Sanitary landfills
shall not be permitted.
(3)
Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance
to erosion, scouring, or settling.
(4)
Be no steeper than one vertical to two horizontal, feet unless
substantiated data, justifying steeper slopes are submitted to, and
approved by the Floodplain Administrator.
(5)
Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect
adjacent properties.
B. Drainage Facilities. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of storm water runoff in a safe and efficient manner and shall meet the standards of the Borough's Stormwater Management Ordinance [Chapter
23], as amended. The system shall insure proper drainage along streets, and provide positive drainage away from buildings. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties. Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter
5, Part
1], as amended, shall apply.
C. Water and Sanitary Sewer Facilities and Systems.
(1)
All new or replacement water supply and sanitary sewer facilities
and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize
or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of flood waters.
(2)
Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent
the discharge of untreated sewage into flood waters.
(3)
No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within
any identified floodplain area except in strict compliance with all
state and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is
permitted, it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or
contamination from it, during a flood.
(4)
The design and construction provisions of the Uniform Construction
Code (UCC) and FEMA #348, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood
Damages, and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall
be utilized.
D. Other Utilities. All other utilities such as gas lines, electrical
and telephone systems shall be located, elevated (where possible)
and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
E. Streets. The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more
than one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
F. Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and not listed in §
8-404, "Development Which May Endanger Human Life," shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or flood proofed to the maximum extent possible.
G. Placement of Buildings and Structures. All buildings and structures
shall be designed, located, and constructed so as to offer the minimum
obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum
effect upon the flow and height of flood water.
H. Anchoring.
(1)
All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance
with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse,
or lateral movement.
(2)
All air ducts, large pipes, storage tanks, and other similar
objects or components located below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be securely anchored or affixed to prevent flotation.
I. Floors, Walls and Ceilings.
(1)
Wood flooring used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring,
perpendicular to the flooring grain without causing structural damage
to the building.
(2)
Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall
be of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
Walls and ceilings at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be designed and constructed of materials that are "water-resistant"
and will withstand inundation.
(4)
Windows, doors, and other components at or below the regulatory
flood elevation shall be made of metal or other "water-resistant"
material.
(5)
Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter 4, Part
1], as amended, shall apply.
J. Paints and Adhesives.
(1)
Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be of "marine" or "water-resistant" quality.
(2)
Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall
be of a "marine" or "water-resistant" variety.
(3)
All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) located
at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be finished with
a "marine" or "water-resistant" paint or other finishing material.
(4)
Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter
5, Part
1], as amended, shall apply.
K. Electrical Components.
(1)
Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet
above the base flood elevation.
(2)
Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall
be dropped from above.
(3)
Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter
5, Part
1], as amended, shall apply.
L. Equipment.
(1)
Water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning and ventilating units,
and other electrical, mechanical or utility equipment or apparatus
shall not be located below the regulatory flood elevation.
(2)
Where applicable, the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter
5, Part
1], as amended, shall apply.
M. Fuel Supply Systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed
to prevent the infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges
from the system into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be
made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water
infiltration occurs.
N. Uniform Construction Code Coordination. The standards and specifications contained in the Uniform Construction Code [Chapter
5, Part
1], as amended and not limited to the following provisions shall apply to the above and other sections and subsections of this chapter, to the extent that they are more restrictive and/or supplement the requirements of this chapter.
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International Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition
thereof, together with Appendices adopted as part of the UCC: §§ 801,
1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.
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International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest
edition thereof together with Appendices adopted as part of the UCC:
§§ R104, R105, R109, 8323, Appendix AE101, Appendix
E and Appendix J.
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[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.04]
1. In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act, 32
P.S. § 679.101 et seq., and the regulations adopted by the
Department of Community and Economic Development as required by the
Act, any new or substantially improved structure which:
A. Will be used for the production or storage of any of the following
dangerous materials or substances.
B. Will be used for any activity requiring the maintenance of a supply
of more than 550 gallons, or other comparable volume, of any of the
following dangerous materials or substances on the premises.
C. Will involve the production, storage, or use of any amount of radioactive
substances.
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Shall be subject to the provisions of this section, in addition
to all other applicable provisions. The following list of materials
and substances are considered dangerous to human life:
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(11)
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(12)
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(16)
Sulphur and sulphur products.
(17)
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides).
(18)
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise
regulated.
2. Within any floodway area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection
1, above, shall be prohibited.
3. Within any floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection
1, above, shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
4. Where permitted within any floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection
1, above, shall be:
A. Elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up
to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation.
B. Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during
the course of a base flood elevation.
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Any such structure, or part thereof, that will be built below
the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the standards for completely dry floodproofing contained
in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations" (U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, June 1972 as amended March 1992), or with some other equivalent
watertight standard.
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[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.05]
All subdivision proposals and development proposals containing
at least 50 lots or at least five acres, whichever is the lesser,
in flood hazard areas where base flood elevation data are not available,
shall be supported by hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses
that determine base flood elevations and floodway information. The
analyses shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer in
a format required by FEMA for a conditional letter of map revision
or letter of map revision. Submittal requirements and processing fees
shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.06]
1. Within any FW (Floodway Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited.
2. Within approximate floodplain or special floodplain area, manufactured
homes shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward
from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
3. Where permitted within any floodplain area, all manufactured homes,
and any improvements thereto, shall be:
A. Placed on a permanent foundation.
B. Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at
least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation.
C. Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
4. Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with
the manufacturers' installation instructions as provided by the
manufacturer. Where the applicant cannot provide the above information,
the requirements of the 2009 International Residential Building Code
or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Permanent
Foundations for Manufactured Housing, 1984 Edition, draft or latest
revision thereto shall apply and the Uniform Construction Code, as
amended.
5. Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of
the 2009 IBC, and the 2009 IRC or the most recent revisions thereto
and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 — 405, as amended where appropriate
and/or applicable to units where the manufacturers' standards
for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established for the units(s)
proposed installation.
[Ord. 525, 3/2/2011, § 5.07]
1. Recreational vehicles in Zones A, A1-30, AH and AE must either:
A. Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days.
B. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use.
C. Meet the permit requirements for manufactured homes in §
8-406.