Prior to any proposed alteration or relocation of any stream, watercourse, etc., within the City limits, a permit shall be obtained from the DEP Regional Office, and a copy of said permit shall be given to any affected adjacent municipality and the City floodplain administrator.
A. 
Permanent, habitable structures existing in any floodplain area prior to the enactment of this Part 2, but not in compliance with these provisions, may continue to remain subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
Existing structures located in a designated one-hundred-year floodplain area shall not be expanded or enlarged unless the effect of the proposed expansion or enlargement on flood heights is fully offset by accompanying improvements.
(2) 
Any modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement of any kind to an existing structure, to an extent or amount of less than 50% of its market value but excluding such modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement necessitated by a repetitive loss, shall be elevated and/or floodproofed to the greatest extent possible.
(3) 
Any modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement of any kind to an existing structure, to an extent or amount of 50% or more of its market value prior to such activity or if such modification, alteration, reconstruction or improvement was necessitated by a repetitive loss, shall be undertaken only in full compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
A real estate appraisal by the owner for the structure only (not land) may be required by the Code Official for evaluation of market value before a permit for substantial improvements can be issued.
C. 
Four copies of a site plan prepared by and sealed by a registered Pennsylvania surveyor or civil engineer shall be required and submitted along with the building permit application for any construction process or earth disturbance within a floodplain area. An erosion and soil control plan shall be part of this site plan submittal.
(1) 
Exception. For any earth disturbance of less than one acre not involving any proposed structure, a detailed site plan is required but does not need a professional seal.
(2) 
One set of approved site plans shall be maintained by the floodplain administrator. One set shall remain with the building plans.
D. 
For land disturbances of one acre or more, the applicant is required to submit site plans with erosion and soil control (E&SC) plans developed by a civil engineer or surveyor with a professional seal to the County Conservation District for review and approval.
E. 
Building permits shall be required to improve any structure located within a designated floodplain area in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code as amended and adopted by the City.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 116, Uniform Construction Codes.
F. 
Accessory and utility structures existing in any Zone A or AE floodplain area prior to the enactment of this Part 2, but not in compliance with these provisions, shall be removed upon notice issued by the City.
A. 
Special provisions applying in designated floodplain areas. In order to prevent excessive damage to buildings and structures due to flooding conditions, the following provisions as set forth in § 109-6 shall apply to all proposed construction or development occurring in any of the identified floodplain areas described in § 109-3B above.
B. 
Standards and specifications. Standards and specifications contained in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as adopted by the state and adopted and amended by the City of Lancaster shall apply to all construction projects located within or impacting floodplain areas, to the extent that the Uniform Construction Code is more restrictive.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 116, Uniform Construction Codes.
C. 
Placement of approved buildings and structures. If any proposed construction or development is located entirely or partially within any identified floodplain area, all buildings and structures shall be constructed and placed on the lot so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water. In so doing, consideration shall be given to their effect upon the flow and height of floodwaters.
(1) 
All necessary information shall be provided in sufficient detail and clarity to enable the Code Official to determine that:
(a) 
All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage and conform with the requirements of this and all other applicable codes and ordinances.
(b) 
All utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems, are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
(c) 
Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(d) 
Structures will be anchored with an approved engineered method to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
(e) 
Building materials are flood-resistant.
(f) 
Appropriate practices that minimize flood damage have been used.
(2) 
Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities have been designed and/or located to prevent water entry or accumulation.
(3) 
Preconstruction plan submittal requirements. In addition to the permit application requirements normally required under the Uniform Construction Code, the Code Official shall require the following specific information to be included as part of the application for a floodplain permit:
(a) 
A plan which details existing and proposed contours and/or elevation (in relation to mean sea level, i.e., the North American Vertical Datum of 1988) of the ground and the lowest floor of proposed construction.
(b) 
One-hundred-year flood elevations.
(c) 
Lowest floor elevation.
(d) 
Other associated factors, such as pressures and impact forces, etc.
(e) 
Storage elevations.
(f) 
Size of the structures.
(g) 
Location and elevation of streets, water supply and sanitary facilities.
(h) 
Soil types.
(i) 
Floodproofing measures, including specific reference to the level of the floodproofing in relation to the one-hundred-year flood.
(j) 
A surveyed site plan completed and sealed by a registered Pennsylvania surveyor.
(k) 
The registered surveyor or civil engineer is required to mark the site indicating where the one-hundred-year floodplain (elevation) is located on the lot.
(l) 
The registered surveyor is required to mark/certify the foundation indicating that the elevation of the basement floor will be 1 1/2 feet above the one-hundred-year flood line at the time of foundation inspection and before framing commences.
(m) 
A document certified by a registered professional engineer or an architect, which states that the proposed construction has been adequately designed to withstand the flood depths, pressures, velocities, impact and uplift forces and other hydrostatic, hydrodynamic and buoyancy factors associated with a one-hundred-year flood. Such statement shall include a description of the type and extent of floodproofing measures which have been incorporated into the design of the structure.
(n) 
The applicant for any construction or development or soil disturbance of one acre or more in any floodplain district is required to submit ES&C plans to the County Conservation District for review and comment prior to review by the City planning staff and any issuance of any building or floodplain permit.
D. 
Residential and nonresidential structures.
(1) 
Within any designated one-hundred-year floodplain district (Zones A and AE and Zone X properties adjacent to unstudied waterways but subject to flooding during a one-hundred-year storm event), the lowest floor (including basement) of any new or substantially improved residential structure shall be elevated 1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation. In Zone A, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new nonresidential construction or substantial improvement to nonresidential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated 1 1/2 feet above an assumed base flood elevation approved by the City of Lancaster or the structure shall be floodproofed.
(2) 
Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the WI (completely dry spaces: walls shall be impermeable to passage of water and water vapor) or W2 (essentially dry spaces: walls shall be substantially impermeable to water but may pass some water vapor or seep slightly) 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.
(3) 
Site plans prepared by and sealed by a registered Pennsylvania surveyor shall be required for any construction process or earth disturbance of more than one acre or for any construction of a structure or part thereof within a floodplain area. An erosion and soil control plan shall be part of this site plan.
(4) 
A floodplain permit shall be required from the City to locate, improve or construct any structure located within a designated floodplain area in accordance with this Part 2 and the Uniform Construction Code as amended and adopted by the City and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(5) 
A postconstruction floodplain certificate shall be required to be issued by the City prior to any occupancy or use of any structure within a floodplain area. This shall be in the form of a certificate of occupancy with documentation under "Special Stipulations" regarding floodplain area and elevations.
(6) 
The applicant for the project is required to submit two sets of as-built survey plans sealed by a civil engineer or surveyor licensed in Pennsylvania. The survey plans shall indicate the location of all structures, paved areas, waterways, flood elevations and the elevation of the lowest floor in relation to the base flood elevation.
A. 
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act,[1] and the regulations adopted by the Department of Community and Economic Development as required by the Act, any new or substantially improved structure that is to be used as noted below shall not be permitted in any unidentified floodway, and where a floodway is not identified in Zone X, it shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet: 1) will be used for the production or storage of any of the following dangerous materials or substances; or 2) will be used for any activity requiring the maintenance of a supply of more than 550 gallons, or other comparable volume, of any of the following dangerous materials or substances on the premises; or 3) will involve the production, storage, or use of any amount of radioactive substances; shall be subject to the provisions of this section, in addition to all other applicable provisions. The following is a list of materials and substances that are considered dangerous to human life:
Acetone
Ammonia
Benzene
Calcium carbide
Carbon disulfide
Celluloid
Chlorine
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrocyanic acid
Magnesium
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides)
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.)
Phosphorus
Potassium
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise regulated
Sodium
Sulphur and sulphur products
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
B. 
Within any identified floodplain area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be elevated or designed and constructed to remain completely dry up to at least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation and designed to prevent pollution from the structure or activity during the course of a base flood. Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, that will be built below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards for completely dry floodproofing contained in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations" (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972, as amended March 1992), or with some other equivalent watertight standard.
C. 
Storage and parking.
(1) 
All hazardous materials and their containers which in time of flooding could be injurious to human, animal, plant life, infrastructure or the environment shall be stored at a level at least 1 1/2 feet above the base flood elevation.
(2) 
Recreational vehicles shall be prohibited from being used, stored or maintained below the regulatory base flood elevation.
(3) 
For any dispute involving the location or elevation of flood hazard areas with respect to storage of materials, the burden of proof for flood elevations rests with the property owner, tenant (or appellant).
(4) 
Space below the lowest floor.
(a) 
Fully enclosed space below the lowest floor (excluding basements) which will be used solely for the parking of a vehicle, building access, or incidental storage in an area other than a basement shall be designed and constructed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on exterior walls. The term "fully enclosed space" also includes crawl spaces.
(b) 
Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect and meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
[1] 
A minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed space.
[2] 
The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
[3] 
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
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 floodwaters.
B. 
Sanitary sewer facilities and systems shall be designed to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into floodwaters.
C. 
Gas lines, electrical and telephone systems being placed in flood-prone areas should be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
D. 
No part of any on-site sewage 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.
If fill materials are used, the fill shall:
A. 
Extend laterally at least 15 feet beyond the building line from all points.
B. 
Consist of soil or small rock materials less than one foot in diameter only.
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, unless substantiated data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to be approved by the floodplain administrator.
E. 
Fill shall only be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.
All buildings, structures and utility appliances such as tanks located within a designated floodplain area shall be firmly anchored with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse or other movement, thus reducing the threat to life and property and decreasing the possibility of the blockage of bridge openings and other restricted sections of the watercourse and inspected and approved by a municipal official.
Where located at or below the regulatory flood elevation:
A. 
In new construction, wood floorings shall not be used below an elevation of 1 1/2 feet above the established flood elevation;
B. 
In other than new construction, wood floorings shall not be used below an elevation of one foot above the established base flood elevation and shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain, without incurring structural damage to the building;
C. 
Plywood, when used, shall be of any exterior or marine grade and of a water-resistant or waterproof variety;
D. 
Walls and ceilings in nonresidential structures shall have sufficient wet strength and be so installed as to survive inundation; and
E. 
Window frames, door frames, door jambs and other components shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.
A. 
All electric water heaters, electric furnaces, electric air-conditioning and ventilating systems and other electric equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory one-hundred-year flood elevation.
B. 
No electrical distribution panels shall be allowed at an elevation less than three feet above the level of the one-hundred-year flood elevation.
C. 
Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.
D. 
All electrical systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the currently adopted edition, as amended, of the National Electrical Code.
A. 
Water heaters, furnaces and other mechanical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at or above the regulatory one-hundred-year flood elevation.
B. 
No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be constructed within any designated floodplain areas.
C. 
Water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed by a design professional registered in Pennsylvania, and the design is to preclude infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.
D. 
All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to preclude the infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.
E. 
All plumbing shall be designed and installed in accordance with the current adopted edition, as amended, of the Uniform Plumbing Code and shall be administered by administrative authority under the Plumbing Code having jurisdiction.
A. 
Adhesives shall have a bonding strength that is unaffected by inundation (i.e., marine or water-resistant quality).
B. 
All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) shall be sealed with a marine or water-resistant quality or similar products.
C. 
Paints or other finishes shall be capable of surviving inundation (i.e., marine or water-resistant quality).
New and or used relocated manufactured homes shall be prohibited from being located within any designated floodplain area or on any property with a known flood history within City limits.