This chapter, in conjunction with the Uniform Construction Code, provide minimum requirements for development located in flood hazard areas, including the subdivision of land and other developments; site improvements and installation of utilities; placement and replacement of manufactured homes; placement of recreational vehicles; new construction and alterations, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation or additions of existing buildings and structures; substantial improvement of existing buildings and structures, including repair of substantial damage; installation of tanks; temporary structures and temporary or permanent storage; Utility and Miscellaneous Group U buildings and structures; and certain building work exempt from permit under the Uniform Construction Code; and other buildings and development activities.
A. 
The City of Atlantic City was accepted for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program on June 18, 1971.
B. 
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) floodplain management regulations encourage that all federal, state, and local regulations that are more stringent than the minimum NFIP standards take precedence in permitting decisions. The FHACA requires that the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map, most recent preliminary FEMA mapping and flood studies, and Department delineations be compared to determine the most restrictive mapping. The FHACA also regulates unstudied flood hazard areas in watersheds measuring 50 acres or greater in size and most riparian zones in New Jersey. Because of these higher standards, the regulated flood hazard area in New Jersey may be more expansive and more restrictive than the FEMA special flood hazard area. Maps and studies that establish flood hazard areas are on file at the Office of the Construction Official, 1301 Bacharach Boulevard, First Floor, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401.
C. 
The following sources identify flood hazard areas in this jurisdiction and must be considered when determining the best available flood hazard data area:
(1) 
Effective flood insurance study. Special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled the "Atlantic City Flood Insurance Study," dated February 15, 1983, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) identified in Table 102.2(1) whose effective dates are August 15, 1983, and February 1, 1985, are hereby adopted by reference.
Table 102.2(1)
Map Panel No.
Effective Date
Revision Letter
Map Panel No.
Effective Date
Revision Letter
3452780001D
August 15, 1983
3452780004D
August 15, 1983
3452780002D
August 15, 1983
3452780005D
August 15, 1983
3452780003E
February 1, 1985
Table 102.2(2)
Map Panel No.
Preliminary Date
Map Panel No.
Preliminary Date
34001C0336G
January 30, 2015
34001C0432G
January 30, 2015
34001C0337G
January 30, 2015
34001C0451G
January 30, 2015
34001C0338G
January 30, 2015
34001C0452G
January 30, 2015
34001C0339G
January 30, 2015
34001C0454G
January 30, 2015
34001C0341G
January 30, 2015
34001C0456G
January 30, 2015
34001C0343G
January 30, 2015
34001C0457G
January 30, 2015
A. 
The local design flood elevation (LDFE) is established in the flood hazard areas determined in § 132-11 above, using the best available flood hazard data sources, and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act minimum statewide elevation requirements for lowest floors in A, Coastal A, and V Zones, ASCE 24 requirements for critical facilities as specified by the building code, plus additional freeboard as specified by this chapter.
B. 
At a minimum, the local design flood elevation shall be as follows:
(1) 
For a delineated watercourse, the elevation associated with the best available flood hazard data area determined in § 132-11 above, plus one foot or as described by N.J.A.C. 7:13 as of December 2023; or
(2) 
For any proposed development of new and substantially improved Flood Design Class III and IV Critical Facilities, the local design flood elevation must be the higher of the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) flood elevation with an additional one foot of freeboard or the local design flood elevation.