In accordance with Section 312 of the International Building Code, "utility and miscellaneous Group U" includes buildings and structures that are accessory in character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy in the Building Code, including, but not limited to, agricultural buildings, aircraft hangars (accessory to a one- or two-family residence), barns, carports, communication equipment structures (gross floor area less than 1,500 square feet), fences more than six feet (1,829 mm) high, grain silos (accessory to a residential occupancy), livestock shelters, private garages, retaining walls, sheds, stables, tanks and towers.
Utility and miscellaneous Group U buildings and structures, including substantial improvement of such buildings and structures, shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from flood loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions up to the local design flood elevation as determined in § 154-2.3.
Utility and miscellaneous Group U buildings and structures, including substantial improvement of such buildings and structures, shall be elevated such that the lowest floor, including basement, is elevated to or above the local design flood elevation as determined in § 154-2.3 and in accordance with ASCE 24. Utility lines shall be designed and elevated in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:13.
Fully enclosed areas below the design flood elevation shall be constructed in accordance with § 154-15.2 and with ASCE 24 for new construction and substantial improvements. Existing enclosures such as a basement or crawlspace having a floor that is below grade along all adjoining exterior walls shall be abandoned, filled in, and/or otherwise modified to conform with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:13 when the project has been determined to be a substantial improvement by the Floodplain Administrator.
Flood-damage-resistant materials shall be used below the local design flood elevation determined in § 154-2.3.
Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, equipment and components, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and other service equipment, shall be elevated to or above the local design flood elevation determined in § 154-2.3.
Exception: Electrical systems, equipment and components, and heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and plumbing appliances, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and other service equipment shall be permitted to be located below the local design flood elevation, provided that they are designed and installed to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components and to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses, including the effects of buoyancy, during the occurrence of flooding to the local design flood elevation in compliance with the flood-resistant construction requirements of ASCE 24. Electrical wiring systems shall be permitted to be located below the local design flood elevation, provided they conform to the provisions of NFPA 70 (National Electric Code).