Section R201.3, Terms defined in other codes, of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes is amended by inserting a new sentence at the end of Section R201.4 as follows: "Where terms are explicitly defined in the Municipal Code of the City of Lewes, such definitions shall be controlling in all instances unless the context clearly requires otherwise."
Section 202, Definitions, of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes is amended by deleting the definitions of "substantial damage" and "substantial improvement" in their entirety and inserting the following definitions:
Substantial Damage - Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Substantial Improvement - Any combination of repair, alteration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cumulative cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before improvement or repair is started. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary, or safety code violations identified by the Building Official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.
Table R301.2(1) of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes is amended by inserting the following climatic and geographic design criteria:
Ground snow load: 20
Wind Speed (MPH): 120
Seismic design category: A
Subject to damage from weathering: Severe
Subject to damage from frost line depth: 24
Subject to damage from termite: Moderate to Heavy
Winter design temp: 14
Ice Barrier underlayment required: No
Flood hazards: March 15, 1977, Flood Insurance Study for Sussex County, Delaware, and Incorporated Areas, dated March 16, 2015.
Air Freezing index: 330
Mean annual Temperature: 55.2° F.
[Amended 10-14-2024]
Section R322.2.1, Elevation requirements, of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes is amended by striking "one foot (305 mm)" and inserting "36 inches" in items 1, 2 and 3, and by inserting the following:
(1) Special Flood Hazard Areas (1% annual chance, Zone AE).
(a) Residential structures located within the 1.0% annual flood chance (Zone AE) shall be elevated and anchored to or above the base flood elevation plus 36 inches. The first-floor elevation shall be measured at the top of the lowest finished floor height. Houses may have a maximum height of 35.5 feet.
Section R322.2.3, Foundation design and construction, of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes by striking the phrase "Exception: Unless designed in accordance with Section R404:
1.
The unsupported height of 6-inch (152 mm) plain masonry walls shall be not more than 3 feet (914 mm).
2.
The unsupported height of 8-inch (203 mm) plain masonry walls shall not be more than 4 feet (1,219 mm).
3.
The unsupported height of 8-inch (203 mm) reinforced masonry walls shall not be more than eight feet (2,438 mm).
For the purpose of this exception, unsupported height is the distance from the finished grade of the under-floor space to the top of the wall."
[Amended 10-14-2024]
Section R322.3.2, Elevation requirements, of the Residential Code of the City of Lewes is amended by striking "one foot (305 mm)" and "36 inches," and by inserting the following:
(1) Special Flood Hazard Areas (1% annual chance, Zone VE).
(a) Residential structures located within the 1.0% annual flood chance (Zone VE) shall be elevated and anchored to or above the base flood elevation plus 36 inches. The first-floor elevation shall be measured at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structure member. Houses may have a maximum height of 35.5 feet.
Section 322.4 Flood Elevation 0.2% and Outside Regulated Flood Area [Zone X unshaded)].
Flood Elevation (Freeboard)
(1) Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas [0.2% Zone X (shaded)].
(a) Residential structures located within the 0.2% shall be elevated and anchored to or above the base flood elevation plus 18 inches. The first-floor elevation shall be measured at the top of the lowest finished floor height. Houses may have a maximum height of 34 feet. This requirement shall go into effect two years from the adoption of the ordinance.
(2) Outside a Regulated Flood Area [Zone X (unshaded)].
(a) Residential structures outside a regulated floodplain are encouraged to elevate and anchor to or above the finished floor an elevation plus 18 inches. The base elevation shall be determined by applying the definition of "building height." Houses using this option may have a maximum height of 34 feet.