[Ord. 1-2004, 3/8/2004, Art. IV, § 4.00]
1. No encroachment, alteration or improvement of any kind shall be made
to any watercourse until all adjacent municipalities that 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's Regional Office. In addition, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Community
and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration
or relocation of any watercourse.
2. 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 Part and any other applicable
codes, ordinances and regulations.
[Ord. 1-2004, 3/8/2004, Art. IV, § 4.01]
With any FW (Floodway Area), the following provisions apply:
A. Any new construction, development, use, activity or encroachment
that would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited.
B. No new construction or development shall be allowed unless a permit
is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection's Regional
Office.
[Ord. 1-2004, 3/8/2004, Art. IV, § 4.02]
1. Residential Structures. Within any identified floodplain area, any
new construction or substantial improvement of a residential structure
shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or
above, the regulatory flood elevation.
2. Nonresidential Structures.
A. Within any identified floodplain area, 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
by such structure shall remain either completely or essentially dry
during any flood up to that height.
B. Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, having a lowest floor
which is not elevated to at least 100-year flood elevation, shall
be flood-proofed in a completely or essentially dry manner 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.
3. Space Below the Lowest Floor.
A. Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement)
is prohibited.
B. Partially enclosed space below the lowest floor (including basement)
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 "partially enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.
C. 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 floodwaters.
E. Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be at least 1 1/2 feet
above the 100-year 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 floodwaters.
[Ord. 1-2004, 3/8/2004, Art. IV, § 4.03]
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 foot to two horizontal feet unless
substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to, and
approved by, the Zoning Officer; and
(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 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 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.
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 §
644, Development Which 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.) 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 100-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.
[Ord. 1-2004, 3/8/2004, Art. IV, § 4.04]
1. Within any FW (Floodway Area), manufactured homes shall be prohibited.
2. 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 above
the elevation of the 100-year flood.
C. Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.