Within any identified floodplain area any new construction or substantial improvements shall be prohibited. If a variance is obtained for new construction or substantial improvements in the identified floodplain area in accordance with the criteria in Article
VIII, then the following provisions apply:
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 up to or above the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with §
260-21C of this chapter.
(3) 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.
(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 latest edition thereof adopted by the
State of Pennsylvania, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 through
405, as amended) shall be utilized where they are more restrictive.
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 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 determined in accordance with §
260-21C of this chapter.
(3) In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall
have its lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the
highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified
on the FIRM.
(4) 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.
(5) 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 latest edition thereof adopted by the
State of Pennsylvania, and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 through
405, as amended) shall be utilized where they are more restrictive.
C. Space below the lowest floor.
(1) Basements are prohibited.
(2) 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.
(3) 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, or other coverings
or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit
of floodwaters.
D. Historic structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation
that would constitute a substantial improvement, as defined in this
chapter, must comply with all ordinance requirements that do not preclude
the structure's continued designation as an historic structure.
Documentation that a specific ordinance requirement will cause removal
of the structure from the National Register of Historic Places or
the State Inventory of Historic Places must be obtained from the Secretary
of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption
from ordinance requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve
the historic character and design of the structure.
E. 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) The floor area shall not exceed 200 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,
collapse, and lateral 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:
(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 minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
A. Fill. Within any identified floodplain area, the use of fill shall be prohibited unless a variance is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Article
VIII, then the following provisions apply:
(1) If fill is used, it shall:
(a)
Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from
all points;
(b)
Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills
shall not be permitted;
(c)
Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance
to erosion, scouring, or settling;
(d)
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; and
(e)
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 stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner.
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.
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 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.
(4) The design and construction provisions of the UCC and FEMA No. 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 §
260-28, Development that may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed 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 floodwater.
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 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.) used at or below
the regulatory flood elevation 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 base 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 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 through 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) 2009 or the latest edition thereof
adopted by the State of Pennsylvania: Sections 801, 1202, 1403, 1603,
1605, 1612 and 3402, and Appendix G.
(2) International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest
edition thereof adopted by the State of Pennsylvania: Sections R104,
R105, R109 that R322 and Appendix E and Appendix J.
Within any identified floodplain area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection A below shall be prohibited. If a variance is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Article
VIII, then the following provisions apply: §
260-28B,
C and
D.
A. In accordance with the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act, and
the regulations adopted by the Department of Community and Economic
Development 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 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; or will involve the production,
storage, or use of any amount of radioactive substances shall be subject
to the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable
provisions. The following is a list of materials and substances that
are considered dangerous to human life:
|
Acetone
|
|
Ammonia
|
|
Benzene
|
|
Calcium carbide
|
|
Carbon disulfide
|
|
Celluloid
|
|
Chlorine
|
|
Hydrochloric acid
|
|
Hydrocyanic acid
|
|
Magnesium
|
|
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen
|
|
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides)
|
|
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.)
|
|
Phosphorus
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|
Potassium
|
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Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise
regulated
|
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Sodium
|
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Sulphur and sulphur products
|
B. Within any identified 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.
C. Within any Floodway Area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection
A above shall be prohibited. Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved residential structure of the kind described in Subsection
A, shall be elevated to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation and built in accordance with §§
260-25,
260-26 and
260-27.
D. New or substantially improved nonresidential structures in identified
floodplain areas.
(1) Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved nonresidential structure of the kind described in Subsection
A above shall be built in accordance with §§
260-25,
260-26 and
260-27, including:
(a)
Elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry
up to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation; and
(b)
Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity
during the course of a base flood.
(2) 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 (United States Army Corps
of Engineers, June 1972, as amended March 1992), or with some other
equivalent watertight standard.
All subdivision proposals and development proposals containing
at least 50 lots or at least five acres, whichever is the lesser,
in identified floodplain 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.
Within any identified floodplain area, recreational vehicles shall be prohibited. If a variance is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Article
VIII, then the following provisions apply:
A. Recreational vehicles in Zones A, A1-30, AH and AE must either:
(1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; and
(2) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(3) Meet the permit requirements for manufactured homes in §
260-30.