[Ord. 798, 7/7/2014]
Within any Identified Floodplain Area any new construction or
substantial improvements shall be prohibited. If a variance is obtained
for new construction or substantial improvements in the Identified
Floodplain Area in accordance with the criteria in Part 7, then the
following provisions apply:
1. Residential
Structures.
A. 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 §
8-302, Subsection
1, of this ordinance.
B. 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 401-405 as amended) shall be utilized, where they
are more restrictive.
2. Non-residential
Structures.
A. 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 up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with §
8-302, Subsection
1, of this ordinance, or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the regulatory flood elevation:
(1) Is
floodproofed so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water; and
(2) Has
structural components with the capability of resisting hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy:
B. Any non-residential
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.
C. 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 401-405 as amended) shall be utilized, where they
are more restrictive.
3. Space below
the lowest floor–fully enclosed space below the lowest floor
(including basements) is prohibited.
4. Historic
Structures. Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation
that would constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this
ordinance, must comply with all ordinance requirements that do not
preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic
structure. Documentation that a specific ordinance requirement will
cause removal of the structure from the National Register of Historic
Places or the State Inventory of Historic places must be obtained
from the Secretary of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation
Officer. Any exemption from ordinance requirements will be the minimum
necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
[Ord. 798, 7/7/2014]
The following minimum standards shall apply for all construction
and development proposed within any identified floodplain area:
1. Fill. Within
any Identified Floodplain Area the use of fill shall be prohibited.
If a variance is obtained in accordance with the criteria in Part
7, then the following provisions apply. If fill is used, it shall:
A. Extend
laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points;
B. Consist
of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills shall not
be permitted;
C. Be compacted
to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring,
or settling;
D. 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
E. Be used
to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
2. 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 ensure 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.
3. Water and
Sanitary Sewer Facilities and Systems.
A. 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 flood waters.
B. Sanitary
sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge
of untreated sewage into flood waters.
C. No part
of any on-site waste disposal 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. Streets.
The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than one
foot below the Regulatory Flood Elevation.
6. 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 §
8-404, Development Which May Endanger Human Life, shall be stored at or above the Regulatory Flood Elevation or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
7. 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 flood water.
8. Anchoring.
A. All buildings
and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted
engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
B. 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.
9. Floors,
Walls and Ceilings.
A. 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.
B. Plywood
used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a "marine”
or "water-resistant" variety.
C. 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.
D. Windows,
doors, and other components at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be made of metal or other "water-resistant" material.
10. Paints
and Adhesives.
A. Paints
and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be of "marine" or "water-resistant" quality.
B. Adhesives
used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be of a "marine"
or "water-resistant" variety.
C. 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.
11. Electrical
Components.
A. Electrical
distribution panels shall be at least three feet above the base flood
elevation.
B. Separate
electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped
from above.
12. 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.
13. Fuel
Supply Systems. All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to
prevent the infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges
from the system into flood waters. Additional provisions shall be
made for the drainage of these systems in the event that flood water
infiltration occurs.
14. Uniform
Construction Code Coordination. The Standards and Specifications contained
34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401-405), as amended and not limited to the
following provisions shall apply to the above and other sections and
sub-sections of this ordinance, to the extent that they are more restrictive
and supplement the requirements of this ordinance.
A. International
Building Code (IBC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Secs. 801,
1202, 1403, 1603, 1605, 1612, 3402, and Appendix G.
B. International
Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof:
Secs. R104, R105, R109, R322, Appendix E, and Appendix J.
[Ord. 798, 7/7/2014]
All subdivision proposals and development proposals containing
at least 50 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
and Letter of Map Revision. Submittal requirements and processing
fees shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
[Ord. 798, 7/7/2014]
Within any Identified Floodplain Area recreational vehicles
shall be prohibited. If a variance is obtained in accordance with
the criteria in Part 7, then the following provisions apply:
1. Recreational
vehicles in Zones A, A1-30, AH and AE must either:
A. Be on
the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; and
B. Be fully
licensed and ready for highway use; or
C. Meet the
permit requirements for manufactured homes in § 8-506.