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 and A1-30 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 §
209-19C of this chapter.
(3) 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
where they are more restrictive.
B. Nonresidential structures.
(1) In AE and A1-30 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 §
209-19C of this chapter.
(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
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.
(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
where they are more restrictive.
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 flood
waters 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, 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 a 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) 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 flood waters.
(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 flood waters.
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. If 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 ensure 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 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 waste disposal 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 #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 §
209-26, Development, which may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation 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 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.
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 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 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 supplement the requirements of this chapter.
International Building Code (IBC) 2009, or the latest edition
thereof: Sections 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix
G.
International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009, or the latest
edition thereof: Sections R104, R105, R109, R322, 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: §
209-26B,
C and
D.
A. In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain 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:
(1) Will be used for the production or storage of any of the following
dangerous materials or substances;
(2) 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
(3) 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 list of
materials and substances are considered dangerous to human life:
(k)
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(l)
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(p)
Sulfur and sulfur products.
(q)
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides).
(r)
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise
regulated.
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 §
209-26A, above, shall be elevated to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation and built in accordance with §§
209-23,
209-24 and
209-25.
D. Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved nonresidential structure of the kind described in Section §
209-26A, above, shall be built in accordance with §§
209-23,
209-24 and
209-25, including:
(1) Elevated, or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up
to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation; and
(2) Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during
the course of a base flood.
(3) 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.
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
and 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 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 §
209-28.