[Ord. No. 278, 6/2/2012]
(a)
Alteration or Relocation of Watercourse.
(1)
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 Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
(2)
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.
(3)
In addition, FEMA and the Pennsylvania Department of Community
and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration
or relocation of any watercourse.
(b)
Technical or scientific data shall be submitted by 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 that causes a rise in the base flood elevations
within the floodway; or
(2)
Any development occurring in Zones A1-30 and Zone AE without
a designated floodway, which will cause a rise of more than one foot
in the base flood elevation; or
(3)
Alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited
to installing culverts and bridges.
(c)
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.
[Ord. No. 278, 6/20/2012]
(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. The regulatory flood
elevation is defined as the base flood elevation plus 1 1/2 feet.
(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 § 10-302(c) of this chapter.
(3)
The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the latest adopted Pennsylvania Versions of the International Building
Code and the International Residential Code 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:
(2)
In A Zones, where there 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 § 10-302(c) 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 latest adopted Pennsylvania versions of the International Building
Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC), as amended,
and ASCE 24 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:
(i)
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(ii)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade.
(iii)
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)
Historic Structures. See § 10-602 for requirements for the substantial improvement of any historic structures.
(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 600 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 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:
(i)
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less
than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
(ii)
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot
above grade.
(iii)
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. No. 278, 6/20/12]
The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
(a)
Fill.
(1)
If fill is used, it shall:
(i)
Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from
all points;
(ii)
Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills
shall not be permitted;
(iii)
Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability
and resistance to erosion, scouring, or settling;
(iv)
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
(v)
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 storm water 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 #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 § 10-404, 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 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 a 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.
(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
of the latest adopted Pennsylvania versions of the International Building
Code and International Residential Code as amended 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.
[Ord. No. 278, 6/20/2012]
(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; or
(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;
(4)
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:
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Acetone
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Ammonia
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Benzene
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Calcium carbide
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Carbon disulfide
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Celluloid
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Chlorine
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Hydrochloric acid
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Hydrocyanic acid
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Magnesium
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Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen
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Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.)
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Phosphorus
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Potassium
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Sodium
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Sulphur and sulphur products
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Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides)
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Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise
regulated
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(b)
Within any Floodway Area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection (a) above shall be prohibited.
(c)
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.
(d)
Where permitted within any identified floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection (a) above, shall be:
(1)
Elevated, or in the case of a nonresidential structure elevated
or designed, and constructed to remain completely dry up to at least
1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation;
(2)
Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity
during the course of a base flood. 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.
[Ord. No. 278, 6/20/2012]
All subdivision proposals and development proposals containing
at least 10 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.
[Ord. No. 278, 6/20/2012]
(a)
Within any Floodway Area/District, manufactured homes shall be prohibited.
(b)
Within any identified floodplain areas, 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 identified floodplain area, all manufactured
homes, and any improvements thereto, shall be:
(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 the latest adopted Pennsylvania version of the
International Residential Building Code or the U.S. 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 latest adopted Pennsylvania versions of International Residential
Code and International Building 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(s')
proposed installation.
