The following standards apply to new development, including new and substantially improved structures, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in § 176-6.
A. 
Subdivision proposals. The following standards apply to all new subdivision proposals and other proposed development in areas of special flood hazard (including proposals for manufactured home and recreational vehicle parks and subdivisions):
(1) 
Proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(2) 
Public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems shall be located and constructed so as to minimize flood damage; and
(3) 
Adequate drainage shall be provided to reduce exposure to flood damage.
B. 
Encroachments.
(1) 
Within Zones A1-A30 and AE, on streams without a regulatory floodway, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development (including fill) shall be permitted unless:
(a) 
The applicant demonstrates that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any location; or
(b) 
The City of Plattsburgh agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM revision, FEMA approval is received and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the City of Plattsburgh for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the City of Plattsburgh for all costs related to the final map revision.
(2) 
On streams with a regulatory floodway, as shown on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map or the Flood Insurance Rate Map adopted in § 176-6, no new construction, substantial improvements or other development in the floodway (including fill) shall be permitted unless:
(a) 
A technical evaluation by a licensed professional engineer demonstrates through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that such an encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood; or
(b) 
The City of Plattsburgh agrees to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a conditional FIRM and floodway revision, FEMA approval is received and the applicant provides all necessary data, analyses and mapping and reimburses the City of Plattsburgh for all fees and other costs in relation to the application. The applicant must also provide all data, analyses and mapping and reimburse the City of Plattsburgh for all costs related to the final map revisions.
(3) 
In Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, if any development is found to increase or decrease base flood elevations, the City of Plattsburgh shall as soon as practicable, but not later than six months after the date such information becomes available, notify FEMA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation of the changes by submitting technical or scientific data in accordance with standard engineering practice.
The following standards apply to new development, including new and substantially improved structures, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in § 176-6.
A. 
Anchoring. New structures and substantial improvement to structures in areas of special flood hazard shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement during the base flood. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
B. 
Construction materials and methods.
(1) 
New construction and substantial improvements to structures shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
(2) 
New construction and substantial improvements to structures shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
(3) 
Enclosed areas below lowest grade.
(a) 
For enclosed areas below the lowest floor of a structure within Zones A1-A30, AE, AO or A, new and substantially improved structures shall have fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding, designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a licensed professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
[1] 
A minimum of two openings of each enclosed area having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding;
[2] 
The bottom of all such openings no higher than one foot above the lowest adjacent finished grade; and
[3] 
Openings not less than three inches in any direction.
(b) 
Openings may be equipped with louvers, valves, screens or other coverings or devices, provided they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. Enclosed areas subgrade on all sides are considered basements and are not permitted.
C. 
Utilities.
(1) 
New and replacement electrical equipment, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, plumbing connections, and other service equipment shall be located at least two feet above the base flood elevation, at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade in a Zone A without an available base flood elevation where permitted, or be designed to prevent water from entering and accumulating within the components during a flood and to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses. Electrical wiring and outlets, switches, junction boxes and panels shall be elevated or designed to prevent water from entering and accumulating within the components unless they conform to the appropriate provisions of the electrical part of the Building Code of New York State or the Residential Code of New York State for location of such items in wet locations;
(2) 
New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system;
(3) 
New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters. Sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems for buildings that have openings below the base flood elevation shall be provided with automatic backflow valves or other automatic backflow devices that are installed in each discharge line passing through a building's exterior wall; and
(4) 
On-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.
D. 
Storage tanks.
(1) 
Underground tanks shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement during conditions of the base flood.
(2) 
Aboveground tanks shall be:
(a) 
Anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement during conditions of the base flood; or
(b) 
Installed at or above the base flood elevation as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 176-6 plus two feet.
A. 
Elevation. The following standards apply to new and substantially improved residential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in § 176-15A, Subdivision proposals, § 176-15B, Encroachments, and § 176-16, Standards for all structures.
(1) 
Within special flood hazard areas, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation.
(2) 
Within Zone A, if the base flood elevation is not specified, a base flood elevation shall be determined by either of the following:
(a) 
Obtain and reasonably use data available from a federal, state or other source plus two feet of freeboard; or
(b) 
Determine the base flood elevation in accordance with accepted hydrologic and hydraulic engineering practices, plus freeboard. Determinations shall be undertaken by a registered design professional, who shall document that the technical methods used reflect currently accepted engineering practice. Studies, analyses, and computations shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow thorough review and approval.
(3) 
Within Zone AO, new construction and substantial improvements shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 176-6 plus two feet of freeboard, or not less than three feet if a depth number is not specified.
(4) 
Within Zones AH and AO, adequate drainage paths are required to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
The following standards apply to new and substantially improved commercial, industrial and other nonresidential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in § 176-15A, Subdivision proposals, § 176-15B, Encroachments, and § 176-16, Standards for all structures.
A. 
Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substantial improvements of any nonresidential structure shall either:
(1) 
Have the lowest floor, including basement or cellar, elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation; or
(2) 
Be floodproofed so that the structure is watertight below two feet above the base flood elevation, including attendant utility and sanitary facilities, with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water. All structural components located below the base flood level must be capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.
B. 
Within Zone AO, new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall:
(1) 
Have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the community's FIRM plus two feet (at least three feet if no depth number is specified); or
(2) 
Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely floodproofed to that level to meet the floodproofing standard specified in Subsection A(2).
C. 
If the structure is to be floodproofed, a licensed professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications, and plans for construction. A floodproofing certificate or other certification shall be provided to the Local Administrator that certifies the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of Subsection A(2), including the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the structure is to be floodproofed.
D. 
Within Zones AH and AO, adequate drainage paths are required to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures on slopes.
E. 
Within Zone A, when no base flood elevation data are available, the lowest floor (including basement) shall be elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade.
The following standards, in addition to the standards in § 176-15, General standards, and § 176-16, Standards for all structures, apply, as indicated, in areas of special flood hazard to manufactured homes and to recreational vehicles which are located in areas of special flood hazard.
A. 
Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH shall either:
(1) 
Be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days;
(2) 
Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
(3) 
Meet the requirements for manufactured homes in Subsection B, C and D. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect-type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.
B. 
A manufactured home that is placed or substantially improved in Zones A1-A30, AE, AH and Zone A shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the bottom of the frame of the manufactured home chassis is elevated to or above two feet above the base flood elevation and is securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
C. 
Within Zone AO, the bottom of the frame of the manufactured home chassis shall be elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map enumerated in § 176-6 plus two feet (at least three feet if no depth number is specified).
D. 
The foundation and anchorage of manufactured homes to be located in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with § 176-16A, Anchoring.
The following standards apply to new and substantially improved accessory structures, including detached garages, in the areas of special flood hazard shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map designated in § 176-6.
A. 
The accessory structure must meet the definition of "structure," for floodplain management purposes, provided in 44 CFR 59.1, where "walled and roofed" shall be interpreted as having two outside rigid walls and a fully secured roof.
B. 
The accessory structure should be small, as defined by the community and approved by FEMA, and represent a minimal investment. Accessory structures of any size may be considered for a variance; however, FEMA considers accessory structures that meet the following criteria to be small and therefore not necessarily in need of a variance, if the community chooses to allow it:
(1) 
Located in an A Zone (A, AE, A1-A30, AR, A99) and less than or equal to the size of a one-story, two-car garage.
C. 
Accessory structures must meet the standards of § 176-16A, Anchoring.
D. 
The portions of the accessory structure located below BFE plus two feet of freeboard must be constructed with flood-resistant materials.
E. 
Mechanical and utility equipment for the accessory structure must be elevated or dry floodproofed to or above BFE plus two feet of freeboard.
F. 
Within Zones AO and Zone A, if base flood elevation data are not available, areas below three feet above the highest adjacent grade shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.
G. 
The accessory structure must comply with the floodway encroachment provisions of the NFIP.
H. 
The accessory structure must be wet floodproofed to protect the structure from hydrostatic pressure. The design must meet the NFIP design and performance standards for openings per 44 CFR 60.3(c)(5) and must allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters without manual operation or the presence of a person (or persons).