In all areas of special flood hazard, all new construction and substantial improvements shall (A) be designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy, (B) be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage, (C) be constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damages, and (D) be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. The following standards are required:
A.
Anchoring.
1.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.
B.
Construction Materials and Methods.
1.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
2.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
3.
All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
4.
All new construction and substantial improvements within zones AH, AO or VO shall have adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
C.
Elevation and Floodproofing.
1.
Residential Construction. All new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement):
a.
In AE, AH, and A1-30 zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
b.
In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
c.
In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined under BMC § 15.49.030(B).
For all of this subsection (C)(1), upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a registered civil engineer or registered land surveyor, and verified in the field. Certification and verification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.
2.
Nonresidential Construction. All new construction or substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall have an elevation that conforms to this subsection (C) or:
a.
Be floodproofed, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, below the elevation required by this subsection (C), so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; and
b.
Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
c.
Be certified by a registered civil engineer or architect that the standards of subsections (C)(2)(a) and (2)(b) of this section are satisfied. Such certifications shall be provided to the floodplain administrator.
3.
Flood Openings. All new construction and substantial improvements of structures with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, and which are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for this requirement shall meet the following minimum criteria:
a.
For nonengineered openings: shall have a minimum of two openings on different sides having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Buildings with more than one enclosed area must have openings on exterior walls for each area to allow flood water to directly enter; and
b.
Be certified by a registered civil engineer or architect.
(Ord. 22-12 § 1)