[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
To minimize actual damages from flooding and erosion to the residents of the City of Utica of and that such damages, including the destruction or loss of private and public housing, damage to public facilities, both publicly and privately owned, and injury to and loss of human life.
(b) 
This section to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
(1) 
Regulate uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water or erosion hazards or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or velocities;
(2) 
Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) 
Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers which are involved in the accommodation of floodwaters;
(4) 
Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase erosion or flood damages;
(5) 
Regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands; and
(6) 
Qualify and maintain for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program;
(7) 
To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
(8) 
To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
(9) 
To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
(10) 
To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges, located in areas of special flood hazard;
(11) 
To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future flood blight areas;
(12) 
To provide that developers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and
(13) 
To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
All applications for a floodplain development permit shall be accompanied by an application fee in accordance with Section 2-29-17, Fees.
(b) 
This section includes all revisions to the National Flood Insurance Program through October 27, 1997, and shall supersede all previous laws adopted for the purpose of flood damage prevention.
(c) 
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this section shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, and welfare.
(d) 
Whenever the requirements of this division are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, or ordinances, the most restrictive, or that imposing the higher standards, shall govern.
(e) 
The degree of flood protection required by this section is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations.
(1) 
Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made changes, natural causes, and/or higher rain intensities. This section does not imply that land outside the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages.
(2) 
This section shall not create liability on the part of the City of Utica or any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made there under.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
The areas of special flood hazard for the City of Utica, Community No. 360558, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
(1) 
Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel Nos. 36065C0615F, 36065C0731F, 36065C0732F, 36065C0733F, 36065C0734F, 36065C0751F, 36065C0752F, 36065C0753F, 36065C0754F, 36065C0756F, and 36065C0758F, whose effective date is September 27, 2013, and any subsequent revisions to these map panels that do not affect areas under our community’s jurisdiction.
(2) 
A scientific and engineering report, entitled “Flood Insurance Study, Oneida County, New York, All Jurisdictions,” dated September 27, 2013.
(b) 
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this article. The Flood Insurance Study and/or maps are on file at the City of Utica Department of Engineering, 1 Kennedy Plaza, Utica, New York 13502.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
Applicability. The following standards apply to new development, including new and substantially improved structures, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in Section 2-19-253:
(b) 
Anchoring. New structures and substantial improvement to structures in areas of special flood hazard shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement during the base flood. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
(c) 
Construction materials and methods. New construction and substantial improvements to structures shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
(d) 
Enclosed areas. For enclosed areas below the lowest floor of a structure within Zones A1-A30, AE or AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data is available, new and substantially improved structures shall have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding, designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a licensed professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) 
A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one-square-inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding; and
(2) 
The bottom of all such openings no higher than one foot above the lowest adjacent finished grade.
(3) 
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens or other coverings or devices, provided they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(4) 
Enclosed areas subgrade on all sides are considered basements and are not permitted.
(e) 
Utilities.
(1) 
New and replacement electrical equipment, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, plumbing connections, and other service equipment shall be located at least two feet above the base flood elevation or be designed to prevent water from entering and accumulating within the components during a flood and to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses. Electrical wiring and outlets, switches, junction boxes and panels shall be elevated or designed to prevent water from entering and accumulating within the components unless they conform to the appropriate provisions of the electrical part of the Building Code of New York State or the Residential Code of New York State for location of such items in wet locations;
(2) 
New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system;
(3) 
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters. Sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems for buildings that have openings below the base flood elevation shall be provided with automatic backflow valves or other automatic backflow devices that are installed in each discharge line passing through a building’s exterior wall; and
(4) 
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
(f) 
Encroachments.
(1) 
Within Zones A1-A30 and AE, on streams without a regulatory floodway, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development (including fill) shall be permitted unless:
a. 
The applicant demonstrates that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any location; or
b. 
The City of Utica agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM revision, FEMA approval is received, and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the City of Utica for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the City of Utica for all costs related to the final map revision.
(2) 
On streams with a regulatory floodway, as shown on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map or the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted in Section 2-10-6, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development in the floodway (including fill) shall be permitted unless:
a. 
A technical evaluation by a licensed professional engineer shows that such an encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood; or
b. 
The City of Utica agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM and floodway revision, FEMA approval is received, and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the City of Utica for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the City of Utica for all costs related to the final map revisions.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
The following standards apply to new and substantially improved residential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in Section 2-29-257, Subdivision proposals; Sections 2-10-17, Encroachments; and 2-10-18, Standards for all structures:
(1) 
Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation.
(2) 
Within Zone A, when no base flood elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
(3) 
Within Zone AO, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in Section 2-10-6 (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
(4) 
Within Zones AH and AO, adequate drainage paths are required to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
The following standards apply to new and substantially improved commercial, industrial and other nonresidential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in Sections 2-10-16, Subdivision proposals; 2-10-17, Encroachments; and 2-10-18, Standards for all structures:
(a) 
Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvements of any nonresidential structure shall either:
(1) 
Have the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation; or
(2) 
Be floodproofed so that the structure is watertight below two feet above the base flood elevation, including attendant utility and sanitary facilities, with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water. All structural components located below the base flood level must be capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
(b) 
Within Zone AO, new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall:
(1) 
Have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the community’s FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified); or
(2) 
Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely floodproofed to that level to meet the floodproofing standard specified in Section 2-10-20(1)b.
(c) 
If the structure is to be floodproofed, a licensed professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for construction. A floodproofing certificate or other certification shall be provided to the local administrator that certifies that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of Section 2-10-20(1)b, including the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure is to be floodproofed.
(d) 
Within Zones AH and AO, adequate drainage paths are required to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
(e) 
Within Zone A, when no base flood elevation data is available, the lowest floor (including basement) shall be elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
The following standards apply to all new subdivision proposals and other proposed development in areas of special flood hazard (including proposals for manufactured home and recreational vehicle parks and subdivisions)
(a) 
Proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(b) 
Public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, shall be located and constructed so as to minimize flood damage; and
(c) 
Adequate drainage shall be provided to reduce exposure to flood damage.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
The following standards, in addition to the standards in Section 2-10-15, Applicability of standards, and Section 2-10-18, Standards for all structures, apply, as indicated, in areas of special flood hazard to manufactured homes which are located in areas of special flood hazard:
(a) 
A manufactured home that is placed or substantially improved in Zones A1-A30, AE and AH shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor is elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation and is securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(b) 
Within Zone A, when no base flood elevation data is available, new and substantially improved manufactured homes shall be elevated such that the manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above grade and are securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement.
(c) 
Within Zone AO, the floor shall be elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as two feet above the depth number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in Section 2-10-6 (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
The following standards, in addition to the standards in Section 2-10-15, Applicability of standards, and Section 2-10-18, Standards for all structures, apply, as indicated, in areas of special flood hazard to recreational vehicles which are located in areas of special flood hazard.
(a) 
Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH shall either:
(1) 
Be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(2) 
Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(3) 
Meet the requirements for manufactured homes in Section 2-10-21(2), (3) and (4).
(b) 
A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect-type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.