18.60.200 - Specific standards.
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided as set forth in (a) Section 18.60.080, (b) Section 18.60.150(H), or (c) Section 18.60.210(B) of this chapter, the following provisions are required:
A. Residential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) be elevated a minimum of one foot above the BFE. A Texas registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate to the floodplain administrator that the standard of this subsection as proposed in Section 18.60.180(A)(1) of this chapter is satisfied.
B. Nonresidential Construction. New construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall have either the lowest floor (including basement) be elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation or, together with appurtenant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that at least one foot above the BFE the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability, of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A Texas registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural design, specifications and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice as outlined in this subsection. A record of such certification, which includes the specific elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which such structures are floodproofed, shall be maintained by the floodplain administrator.
C. Enclosures. New construction and substantial improvements, with 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 shall be 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 Texas registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
1. A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.
2. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
3. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
D. Manufactured Homes.
1. Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within Zone A on a community's FHBM or FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices which minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
2. Require that manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM on sites (i) outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision, (ii) in a new manufactured home park or subdivision, (iii) in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, or (iv) in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as a result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated a minimum of one foot above the BFE and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
3. Require that manufactured homes be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision with Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community's FIRM that are not subject to the provisions of this section be elevated so that either:
a. The lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation; and
b. The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements adequately anchored to foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
E. Recreational Vehicles. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community's FIRM either (i) be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty consecutive days, or (ii) be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or (iii) meet the permit requirements of Section 18.60.180(A), and the elevation and anchoring requirements for "manufactured homes" in subsection A of this section. 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.
(Ord. No. 019528, § 1, 8-1-2023)
