Structures existing in any identified floodplain area prior
to the enactment of this chapter may continue subject to the following
provisions:
A. No expansion or enlargement of an existing structure shall be allowed
within any identified floodway that would cause any increase in base
flood elevation.
B. No expansion or enlargement of an existing structure shall be allowed
within any special floodplain area that would, together with all other
existing and anticipated development, increase the BFE more than one
foot at any point.
C. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds
50% of the market value of the structure, either before the improvement
or repair is started, or if the structure has been damaged and is
being restored, before the damage occurred, shall constitute a substantial
improvement and shall be undertaken only in full compliance with the
provisions of this chapter. Substantial improvement is considered
to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or
other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that
alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term
does not, however, include:
(1) Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which
are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(2) Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of
Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places.
D. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement of any
kind to an existing structure, to an extent or amount of less than
50% of its market value, shall be elevated and/or floodproofed to
the greatest extent possible.
E. Any modification, alteration, reconstruction, or improvement of any
kind that meets the definition of "repetitive loss" shall be undertaken
only in full compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
F. The above activity shall also address the requirements of the 34
Pa. Code, as amended, and the 2006 IBC and the 2006 IRC.