The following sections are applicable in all flood hazard specific
areas unless otherwise provided for.
A.
Alteration or relocation of a watercourse includes, but is not limited
to, the installation of culverts and bridges.
B.
No encroachment, alteration, relocation or improvement of any kind
shall be made to any watercourse until FEMA, PA DCED and all adjacent
municipalities, which may be affected by such action, have been notified
by the municipality, and until all required permits or approvals have
been first obtained.
C.
No encroachment, alteration, or improvement of any kind shall be
made to any watercourse unless it can be shown that the activity will
not reduce or impede the flood-carrying capacity of the watercourse
in any way.
D.
The municipality shall require technical and/or scientific data to
be submitted to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR) within six
months of the completion of any new construction, development, or
other activity resulting in changes in the BFE. A LOMR or conditional
letter of map revision (CLOMR) is required for:
(1)
Any development that causes a rise in the base flood elevations within
the floodway; or
(2)
Any development occurring in Zones A1-30 and Zone AE without a designated
floodway, which will cause a rise of more than one foot in the base
flood elevation; or
(3)
Any alteration or relocation of a stream (including but not limited
to installing culverts and bridges); the applicant shall (as per 44
CFR 65.12):
(a)
Apply to FEMA for conditional approval of such action prior
to permitting the encroachments to occur.
(b)
Upon receipt of the Administrator's conditional approval
of map change and prior to approving the proposed encroachments, a
community shall provide evidence to FEMA of the adoption of floodplain
management ordinances incorporating the increased base flood elevations
and/or revised floodway reflecting the post-project condition.
(c)
Upon completion of the proposed encroachments, a community shall
provide as-built certifications. FEMA will initiate a final map revision
upon receipt of such certifications in accordance with 44 CFR Part
67.
A.
Residential structures.
(1)
In AE, A1-30, and AH Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement
shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at or above
the regulatory flood elevation.
(2)
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 at or above the regulatory flood elevation determined in accordance with § 298-8B(3) of this chapter.
(3)
In AO Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall
have the lowest floor (including basement) at or above the highest
adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the
FIRM.
(4)
The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the City of Easton Building Code shall be used.
B.
Nonresidential structures.
(1)
Any new nonresidential construction or substantial improvement of
a nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor (including
basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation,
or be designed and constructed so that the space enclosed below the
regulatory flood elevation is floodproofed so that the structure is
watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of
water and, has structural components with the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. In AO
Zones, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have
their lowest floor elevated or completely floodproofed above the highest
adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number specified on
the FIRM.
(2)
Any nonresidential 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
United States Army Corps of Engineers (May 2000, as amended) 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)
The design and construction standards and specifications contained
in the City of Easton Building Code shall be used.
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, or 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.
Structures accessory to a principal building need not be elevated
or floodproofed to remain dry, but shall comply, at a minimum, with
the following requirements:
(1)
The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation,
but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage
of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or
activity.
(2)
The floor area shall not exceed 144 square feet.
(3)
The structure will have a low-damage potential.
(4)
The structure will be located on the site so as to cause the least
obstruction to the flow of floodwaters.
(5)
Power lines, wiring, and outlets will be elevated to the regulatory
flood elevation.
(6)
Permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces,
heaters, washers, dryers, etc., are prohibited.
(7)
Sanitary facilities are prohibited.
B.
The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation,
collapse, and lateral movement and shall be designed to automatically
provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing
hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement
must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect, or 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, etc. or other coverings
or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit
of floodwaters.
A.
Where permitted within the Flood Hazard Area, all manufactured homes,
and any improvements thereto, shall be:
(1)
Placed on a permanent foundation.
(2)
Elevated so that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at
least 1 1/2 feet above base flood elevation.
(3)
Anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
(4)
Have all ductwork and utilities including HVAC/heat pump elevated
to the regulatory flood elevation.
B.
Installation of manufactured homes shall be done in accordance with
the manufacturers' installation instructions. Where the applicant
cannot provide the above information, the more restrictive requirements
of the City of Easton Building Code or the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development's Permanent Foundations for
Manufactured Housing, September 1996 Edition as amended, shall apply.
C.
Consideration shall be given to the installation requirements of
the City of Easton Building Code or the most recent revisions thereto
where appropriate and/or applicable to units where the manufacturers'
standards for anchoring cannot be provided or were not established
for the proposed installation.
Recreational vehicles must either be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use or, in the alternative, meet the permit requirements for manufactured homes in § 298-24.
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.
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.
E.
Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent
properties.
Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow
of stormwater 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.
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.
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 City of Easton Building
Code and FEMA #P-348, Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damages,
and the International Private Sewage Disposal Code shall be utilized.
All other utilities such as gaslines, electrical and telephone
systems shall be located, elevated (where possible) and constructed
to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.
The finished elevation of all new streets shall be no more than
one foot below the regulatory flood elevation.
All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or, in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and not listed as a prohibited use in § 298-12, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
A.
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 nominal effect upon the flow and height of floodwater.
B.
All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance
with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse,
or lateral movement.
C.
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.
D.
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.
E.
Plywood used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
of a marine or water-resistant variety.
F.
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.
G.
Windows, doors, and other components at or below the regulatory flood
elevation shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.
H.
Paints and other finishes used at or below the regulatory flood elevation
shall be of marine or water-resistant quality.
I.
Adhesives used at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be
of a marine or water-resistant variety.
J.
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.
K.
Electrical distribution panels shall be at least three feet above
the base flood elevation.
L.
Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be
dropped from above.
M.
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.
N.
All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to prevent the infiltration
of floodwaters into the system and discharges from the system into
floodwaters. Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage
of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.
