A. 
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 Borough and until all required permits or approvals have been first obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection.
B. 
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. In addition, when such development is proposed within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top of bank of any watercourse, a permit shall be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
C. 
No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind will 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.
D. 
In addition, FEMA and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse.
E. 
The municipality shall require technical or scientific data to be submitted to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) within six months of the completion of any new construction, development, or other activity resulting in changes in the base flood elevation. A LOMR or Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) is required for:
(1) 
Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevations within the floodway; or
(2) 
Alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited to installing culverts and bridges).
A. 
Within any FW (Floodway Area), the following provisions apply:
(1) 
Any new construction, development, use, activity, or encroachment that would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited.
(2) 
No new construction or development shall be allowed, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Dams and Waterway Management.
B. 
Within any FA (General Floodplain Area), the following provisions apply:
(1) 
No new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
(2) 
Any new construction, development, use, activity, or encroachment which would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited within a floodway area delineated by an applicant.
A. 
Residential structures.
(1) 
In AE Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to or above the regulatory flood elevation.
(2) 
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 through 405, as amended) shall be utilized.
B. 
Nonresidential structures.
(1) 
In AE 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) 
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 "Floodproofing 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.
(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 through 405, as amended) 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:
(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. 
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 100 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 at least 1.5 feet above the one-percent-annual-chance 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 floodwaters 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 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 to two horizontal, unless substantiated data, justifying steeper slopes, are submitted to and approved by the Building Code Official.
(5) 
Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
B. 
Drainage. 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 § 245-34, 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 or 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 quality.
(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 one-percent-annual-chance 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 supplement the requirements of this chapter:
(1) 
International Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Sections 801, 1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612 and 3402 and Appendix G.
(2) 
International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Sections R104, R105, R109 and R323 and Appendix AE101, Appendix E and Appendix J.
A. 
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act,[1] 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:
(1) 
Acetone.
(2) 
Ammonia.
(3) 
Benzene.
(4) 
Calcium carbide.
(5) 
Carbon disulfide.
(6) 
Celluloid.
(7) 
Chlorine.
(8) 
Hydrochloric acid.
(9) 
Hydrocyanic acid.
(10) 
Magnesium.
(11) 
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(12) 
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides).
(13) 
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(14) 
Phosphorus.
(15) 
Potassium.
(16) 
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise regulated.
(17) 
Sodium.
(18) 
Sulphur and sulphur products.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
B. 
Within any Floodway Area/District, any structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be prohibited.
C. 
New or substantially improved structures in Floodplain Conservation District.
(1) 
Where permitted by a variance within the Floodplain Conservation District, § 248-42, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be:
(a) 
Elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above the one-percent-annual-chance flood; and
(b) 
Designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during the course of a one-percent-annual-chance 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 "Floodproofing Regulations" (United States Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent watertight standard.
A. 
Within any identified floodplain area, manufactured homes shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
B. 
Where permitted within any floodplain area, all manufactured homes, and any additions thereto, shall be:
(1) 
Placed on a permanent foundation.
(2) 
Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is 1 1/2 feet or more above the elevation of the one-percent-annual-chance flood.
(3) 
Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
C. 
Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions as provided by the manufacturer. Where the applicant cannot provide the above information, the requirements of Appendix E of the 2009 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, and 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, shall apply.
D. 
Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of the 2009 IBC and the 2009 IRC or the most recent revisions thereto and 34 Pa. Code, as amended, where appropriate and/or applicable to units where the manufacturer's standards for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established for the proposed unit's installation.