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 DEP, Bureau of Dams and Waterway Management. In addition, FEMA and the DCED, Bureau of Community Planning, shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse.
B. 
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.
C. 
Alteration or relocation of watercourse. 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.
D. 
Technical or scientific data shall be submitted by (choose either the municipality or the applicant) to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR) as soon as practicable but within six months of any new construction, development, or other activity resulting in changes in the BFE. The situations when a LOMR or a conditional letter of map revision (CLOMR) are required are:
(1) 
Any development occurring in Zone A which will cause a rise of more than one foot in the base flood elevation (as determined using methodology in § 156-22);
(2) 
Alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited to installing culverts and bridges).
E. 
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.
A. 
Residential structures.
(1) 
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.
(2) 
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 to or above the base flood elevation and in accordance with § 156-21B(3)(b)[2].
(3) 
The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC), or the most-recent revisions thereof, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401-405, as amended) shall be utilized.
B. 
Nonresidential structures.
(1) 
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:
(a) 
Is floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
(b) 
Has structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.
(2) 
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 or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 156-21B(3)(b)[2].
(3) 
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 United States 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.
(4) 
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, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401-405, as amended) shall be utilized.
C. 
Space below the lowest floor.
(1) 
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 floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.
(2) 
Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(a) 
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(b) 
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
(c) 
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
D. 
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:
(1) 
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.
(2) 
Floor area shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(3) 
The structure will have a low damage potential.
(4) 
The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.
(5) 
Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation.
(6) 
Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances, such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
(7) 
Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
(8) 
The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation or movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwaters 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:
(a) 
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(b) 
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
(c) 
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc., or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
The following 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 three horizontal, 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. Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner. The system shall ensure proper drainage along streets and provide positive drainage away from buildings where drainage is the method of conveyance utilized. The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.
C. 
Water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems.
(1) 
All new or replacement water and sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be located, designed and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damages and the infiltration of floodwaters.
(2) 
Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.
(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.
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, according to the requirements, regulations or other procedures established by the DEP.
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 § 156-27, Development which may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible, to preclude their causing damage to life and property.
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 floodwater. The following shall not be placed or caused to be placed in identified flood-prone areas: fences, except two-wire fences, other structures or other matter which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of water, or that will catch or collect debris carried by such water, or that are placed where the natural flow of the stream or floodwaters would carry the same downstream to the damage or detriment of either public or private property adjacent to the flood-prone areas.
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.
J. 
Paints and adhesives.
(1) 
Paints or other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a marine or water-resistant quality.
(2) 
Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a marine or water-resistant quality.
(3) 
All wooden components (doors, trim cabinets, etc.) shall be finished with a marine or water-resistant paint or other finishing material.
K. 
Electrical components.
(1) 
Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the one-hundred-year-flood elevation.
(2) 
Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.
L. 
Equipment. 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.
M. 
Fuel supply systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.
N. 
Uniform Construction Code coordination. The standards and specifications contained in 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401-405), 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:
(1) 
International Building Code (IBC) 2006, or the latest edition thereof: Sections 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.
(2) 
International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2006, or the latest edition thereof: Sections R104, R105, R109, R323, Appendix AE101, Appendix E and Appendix J.
A. 
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act, and the regulations adopted by the DCED as required by the Act, any new or substantially improved structure which will be used for the production or storage of any of the following dangerous materials or substances or which will be used for any activity requiring the maintenance of a supply (more than 550 gallons or other comparable volume or any amount of radioactive substances) of any of the following dangerous materials or substances on the premises shall be subject to the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable provisions:
(1) 
Acetone.
(2) 
Ammonia.
(3) 
Benzene.
(4) 
Calcium carbide.
(5) 
Carbon disulfide.
(6) 
Celluloid.
(7) 
Chlorine.
(8) 
Hydrochloric acid.
(9) 
Hydrocyanic acid.
(10) 
Magnesium.
(11) 
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(12) 
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(13) 
Phosphorus.
(14) 
Potassium.
(15) 
Sodium.
(16) 
Sulphur and sulphur products.
(17) 
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides).
(18) 
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise regulated.
B. 
Within any FW (Floodway Area), any structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be prohibited.
C. 
Within any Special or Approximate Floodplain Area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
D. 
Where permitted within any floodplain area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be:
(1) 
Elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation; and
(2) 
Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during the course of a base flood.
E. 
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 "Floodproofing Regulations" (United States Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972, as amended March 1992), or with some other equivalent watertight standard.
A. 
Within any FW (Floodway Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited.
B. 
Within any 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.
C. 
Where permitted within any floodplain area, all manufactured homes and any additions or substantial improvements thereto shall be:
(1) 
Placed on a permanent foundation.
(2) 
Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured homes is 1 1/2 feet or more above the base flood elevation.
(3) 
Anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement.
D. 
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 Appendix E of the 2006 International Residential Building Code or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Permanent Foundations for Manufactured Housing, 1984 Edition, draft or latest revision thereto, shall apply and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401-405.
E. 
Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of the 2006 IBC and the 2006 IRC, or the most-recent revisions thereto, and 34 Pa. Code, as amended, where appropriate and/or applicable to units where the manufacturers' standards for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established for the unit's (units') proposed installation.
F. 
An evacuation plan acceptable to the Swatara Township Director of Emergency Preparedness indicating alternative vehicular access and escape routes shall be filed with the Township Building Official for manufactured home parks.
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.