A. 
All uses, activities and development occurring within any Floodplain District, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a floodplain development permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with all other applicable codes and ordinances, such as the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VA USBC) and the Page County Zoning Ordinance, including Article IX, Subdivision of Land.[1] Prior to the issuance of any such permit, the Floodplain Administrator or designee shall require all applications to include compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Under no circumstances shall any use, activity and/or development adversely affect the capacity of the channels or floodways of any watercourse, drainage ditch or any other drainage facility or system.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 100, Subdivision of Land.
B. 
The applicant shall file an application in writing on a form furnished by the Floodplain Administrator. Such application shall:
(1) 
Identify and describe the development to be covered by the permit.
(2) 
Describe the land on which the proposed development is to be conducted by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the site.
(3) 
Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed development is intended.
(4) 
Be accompanied by a site plan and construction documents as specified in Article IX of these regulations, grading and filling plans and other information deemed appropriate by the Floodplain Administrator.
(5) 
State the valuation of the proposed work.
(6) 
Be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized agent.
C. 
All applications for development within any floodplain district and all building permits issued for the floodplain shall incorporate the following information:
(1) 
The elevation of the base flood at the site.
(2) 
For structures to be elevated, the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement).
(3) 
For structures to be floodproofed (nonresidential only), the elevation to which the structure will be floodproofed.
(4) 
Topographic information showing existing and proposed ground elevations.
D. 
Small projects considered compliant with Floodplain District requirements.
(1) 
Individual floodplain development permits shall not be required for activities, uses, and development (collectively "small projects") which have been reviewed, assessed, and documented by the County of Page and approved by FEMA in accordance with federal regulations as having low-to-no impact on the floodplain. A list of small projects meeting this criteria, entitled "County Review of Development in the Floodplain District — Small Projects," is hereby adopted by reference as part of this chapter as if fully set forth therein, shall be kept on file in the office of the Department of Community Development, and may be administratively amended as deemed necessary by the Floodplain Administrator in accordance with all federal requirements.
(2) 
Notwithstanding the foregoing § 135-4.1C(1), small projects which constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this article shall require submission of a zoning permit or building permit, as applicable, prior to commencement of construction or land disturbance. The Floodplain Administrator may require submittal of all plans, documents, and information deemed necessary to determine whether the small project is a substantial improvement and otherwise complies with this chapter.
E. 
The issuance of a permit under these regulations or the Building Codes shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of this chapter or any other ordinance of this jurisdiction. The issuance of a permit based on submitted documents and information shall not prevent the Floodplain Administrator from requiring the correction of errors. The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure or site which is in violation of these regulations or other ordinances of this jurisdiction.
F. 
A permit shall become invalid when the proposed development is not commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or when the work authorized is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the work commences. Extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each.
G. 
The Floodplain Administrator is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under these regulations wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance.
A. 
The following provisions shall apply to all floodplain development permits:
(1) 
New construction and substantial improvements shall be in accordance with the VA USBC and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure.
(2) 
Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This standard shall be in addition to and consistent with applicable state anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
(3) 
New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
(4) 
New construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(5) 
Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment and other service facilities, including ductwork, shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(6) 
New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system.
(7) 
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.
(8) 
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
B. 
In addition to provisions in Subsection A(1) through (8) above, in all special flood hazard areas, the additional provisions shall apply:
(1) 
Prior to any proposed alteration or relocation of any channels or of any watercourse, stream, etc., within this jurisdiction, a permit shall be obtained from USACE, DEQ, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Furthermore, in riverine areas, notification of the proposal shall be given by the applicant to all affected adjacent jurisdictions, the DCR, other required agencies, and FEMA.
(2) 
The flood-carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse shall be maintained.
A. 
Residential structures. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones A1-30, AE, AH and A with detailed base flood elevations shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 12 inches of freeboard.
B. 
Space below the lowest floor. In Zones A1-30, AE, AH, A, and AO, fully enclosed areas of new construction or substantially improved structures which are below the regulatory flood protection elevation shall:
(1) 
Not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall only be used for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises. Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment (standard exterior door), or entry to the living area (stairway or elevator);
(2) 
Be constructed entirely of flood-resistant materials below the regulatory flood protection elevation; and
(3) 
Include measures to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. To meet this requirement, the openings must either be certified by a professional engineer or architect or meet the following minimum design criteria:
(a) 
Provide a minimum of two openings on different sides of each enclosed area subject to flooding.
(b) 
The total net area of all openings must be at least one square inch for each square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding.
(c) 
If a building has more than one enclosed area, each area must have openings to allow floodwaters to automatically enter and exit.
(d) 
The bottom of all required openings shall not be higher than one foot above the adjacent grade.
(e) 
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other opening coverings or devices, provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions.
(f) 
Foundation enclosures made of flexible skirting are not considered enclosures for regulatory purposes, and, therefore, do not require openings. Masonry or wood underpinning, regardless of structural status, is considered an enclosure and requires openings as outlined above.
C. 
Nonresidential structures.
(1) 
New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential building or manufactured home shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 12 inches of freeboard.
(2) 
Buildings located in A1-30, AE, and AH Zones may be floodproofed in lieu of being elevated, provided that all areas of the building components below the elevation corresponding to the base flood elevation plus 12 inches of freeboard are watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and use structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy.
(3) 
A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification, including the specific elevation (in relation to sea level) to which such structures are floodproofed, shall be maintained by the Page County Floodplain Administer or designee.
D. 
Standards for manufactured homes and recreational vehicles:
(1) 
Manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved on sites shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the bottom of the frame of the manufactured home is elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 12 inches of freeboard and shall be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(2) 
Recreational vehicles shall comply with the general provisions listed in § 135-4.2A and § 135-4.3B of these regulations. Recreational vehicles placed on sites shall either:
(a) 
Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use, meaning that 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; or
(b) 
Meet the permit requirements for placement and elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Article IV, District Provisions.
A. 
Base flood elevation data shall be obtained from other sources, including licensed surveyors, or developed using detailed methodologies comparable to those contained in an FIS, for subdivision proposals and other proposed development proposals (including manufactured home parks) that exceed 50 lots or five acres, whichever is the lesser. The following standards shall also apply:
(1) 
All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
(2) 
All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
(3) 
All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
B. 
Where any portion of proposed subdivisions, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions, lies within a flood hazard area, the following shall be required:
(1) 
The flood hazard area, including floodways and base flood elevations, as appropriate, shall be delineated on the preliminary site plan.
(2) 
Residential building lots shall be provided with adequate building area outside of the floodway.
(3) 
The design criteria for utilities and facilities set forth in these regulations and appropriate codes shall be met.
A. 
Sewer facilities. All new and replaced sanity sewer facilities, private sewage treatment plants (including all pumping stations and collector systems) and on-site waste disposal systems shall be designed in accordance with state code and Chapter 7, ASCE 24, to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwater into the facilities and discharge from the facilities into floodwaters, or impairment of the facilities and systems.
B. 
Water facilities. All new and replacement water facilities shall be designed in accordance with state code and the provisions of Chapter 7, ASCE 24, to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwater into the systems.
C. 
Storm drainage. Storm drainage shall be designed to convey the flow of surface waters to minimize or eliminate damage to persons or property.
D. 
All utilities, such as gas lines and electrical and telephone systems, placed in flood-prone areas should be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flooding occurrence.
E. 
Streets and sidewalks should be designed to minimize their potential for increasing and aggravating the levels of flood flow. Drainage openings shall be required to sufficiently discharge flood flows without unduly increasing flood heights.