§ 23-8-3(F) — Exceptions

(F) - Exceptions

(1) Policy Those areas of Biloxi most vulnerable to storms and flooding contain many nonconforming structures that are important to maintaining the character of the city and its neighborhoods. To maintain that character yet reduce vulnerability to storm and flood damage, this subsection relaxes limitations on the enlargement, expansion, relocation, remodeling, reconstruction, restoration, rebuilding, structural alteration, or repair of nonconforming structures located within floodplains where hazard resiliency measures are incorporated and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood is maintained. (2) Nonconforming Structures in Floodplains Existing nonconforming structures located within an area of special flood hazard—as designated on Flood Insurance Rate Maps adopted as part of Chapter 8, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Biloxi Code of Ordinances—may be enlarged, expanded, remodeled, relocated elsewhere in an area of special flood hazard, or reconstructed, restored, rebuilt, structurally altered, or repaired after damage, without regard to the limitations in Sections 23-8-3(B)—(E) above, and subject to a Conditional Use Permit approved in accordance with Section 23-2-4(D), Conditional Use Permit, and in accordance with the following provisions: a. The nonconforming structure's resiliency to storm and flood damage shall be increased through use of at least four of the following measures, where undertaken in accordance with standards and guidelines of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): 1. Elevating the structure so its lowest habitable floor is at least 50 percent closer to the base flood elevation; 2. Dry floodproofing exterior walls below the base flood elevation up to at least 75 percent of the height between ground level and the base flood elevation; 3. Converting enclosed areas of the structure below the base flood elevation to nonhabitable space; 4. Wet floodproofing enclosed areas of the structure below the base flood elevation to allow flood waters to temporarily fill the areas to equalize hydrostatic loads and prevent buoyancy, including the elevation or floodproofing of HVAC equipment and electrical system components; 5. Installing permanent storm shutters on glass windows and doors or replacement of glass windows and doors with shatterproof glass; 6. Installing flood openings in foundations and enclosed areas of the structure below the base flood elevation to allow flood waters to pass through to equalize hydrostatic loads and prevent buoyancy; or 7. Securing shingle, built-up, and metal roofs against high wind damage. b. The footprint of the nonconforming part of the structure shall not be increased by more than 15 percent. c. The nonconforming structure shall be enlarged, expanded, remodeled, relocated, reconstructed, restored, rebuilt, structurally altered, or repaired in a manner that is compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. d. The reconstruction, restoration, rebuilding, structural alteration, or repair shall comply with flood hazard prevention standards in Chapter 8, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Biloxi Code of Ordinances.