Ordinance No. 25-11-42 ORDINANCE NO. 25 -11 -42
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, FLOOD
HAZARD AREAS, RELATING TO FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION, IN
ORDER TO ADOPT, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, THE
REGULATIONS AND POLICIES SET FORTH IN THE STATE OF
FLORIDA MODEL FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE;
PROVIDING FOR STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF
FACT, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS;
PROVIDING FOR GENERAL PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR
ADMINISTRATION; PROVIDING FOR PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD
HAZARD REDUCTION; PROVIDING FOR VARIANCE PROCEDURES;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION INTO THE CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Atlantic Beach City Commission seeks to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the citizens of Atlantic Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Commission desires to amend, to the extent applicable, the City of
Atlantic Beach's current Chapter 8, Flood Hazard Areas, of the Code of Ordinances by adopting
regulations and policies set forth in the State of Florida Model Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. Chapter 8 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic Beach, Florida,
Flood Hazard Areas, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Article I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT,
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Sec. 8 -1. Statutory authorization.
The Legislature of the State of Florida has delegated in Chapter 166, Florida
Statutes, the responsibility of local governmental units to adopt regulations, designed
to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore,
the City Commission of Atlantic Beach, Florida, does ordain as follows in this
chapter.
Sec. 8 -2. Findings of fact.
(a) The flood hazard areas of the City of Atlantic Beach are subject to periodic
inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards,
disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public
expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of
which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
(b) These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in floodplains causing
increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas by uses
vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands which are inadequately elevated, floodproofed, or
otherwise unprotected from flood damages.
Sec. 8-3. Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety and general welfare and to
minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
(1) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety and property due to water
or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or in flood heights or
velocities;
(2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be
protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
(3) Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective
barriers which are involved in the accommodation of flood waters;
(4) Control filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase erosion or
flood damage; and
(5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood
waters or which may increase flood hazards to other lands.
Sec. 8 - 4. Objectives.
The objectives of this ordinance are to:
(1) Protect human life and health;
(2) Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects;
(3) Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally
undertaken at the expense of the general public;
(4) Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
(5) Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric,
telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in floodplains;
(6) Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of flood -
prone areas in such a manner as to minimize flood blight areas; and
(7) Ensure that potential home buyers are notified that property is in a flood hazard area.
Sec. 8 - 5. Definitions.
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as
to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable
application:
Accessory structure (Appurtenant structure) means a structure that is located on the same parcel
of property as the principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal
structure. Accessory structures should constitute a minimal investment, may not be used for human
habitation, and be designed to have minimal flood damage potential. Examples of accessory structures are
detached garages, carports, storage sheds, pole barns, and hay sheds.
Addition (to an existing building) means any walled and roofed expansion to the perimeter of a
building in which the addition is connected by a common load- bearing wall other than a fire wall. Any
walled and roofed addition which is connected by a fire wall or is separated by independent perimeter
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 2 of 20
load- bearing walls is new construction.
Appeal means a request for a review of the Floodplain Administrator's interpretation of any
provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
Area of shallow flooding means a designated AO or AH Zone on a community's flood insurance
rate map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does
not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be
evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.
Area of special flood hazard is the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one
percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The term is synonymous with "special flood
hazard area ".
Base flood means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any
given year.
Base Flood Elevation means the water- surface elevation associated with the base flood.
Basement means that portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all
sides.
Breakaway wall means a wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is
intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces without
causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or the supporting foundation system.
Building —see Structure.
Coastal high hazard area means the area subject to high velocity waters caused by, but not
limited to, hurricane wave wash. The area is designated on a FIRM as Zones VI -- 30, VE or V.
Development means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but
not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating, drilling
operations, or permanent storage of materials.
Elevated building means a non - basement building built to have the lowest floor elevated above
the ground level by means of fill, solid foundation perimeter walls, pilings, columns (posts and piers),
shear walls, or breakaway walls.
Encroachment means the advance or infringement of uses, plant growth, fill, excavation,
buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain, which may impede or alter the flow
capacity of a floodplain.
Existing Construction means, for the purpose of floodplain management, structures for which the
"start of construction" commenced before March 23, 1987.
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision
for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured home are to be
affixed (including at a minimum the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site
grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before March 23, 1987.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision means the preparation of
additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes
are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site
grading or the pouring of concrete pads).
Flood or flooding means;
(a) A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry
land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters;
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(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
(b) The collapse or subsidence of land along a shore of a lake or other body of water as the
result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding
anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a
natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm or by an unanticipated force of
nature, such as flash flood or an abnormal tidal surge or by some similarly unusual and
unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined in paragraph (a) (1) of this
definition.
Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) means the official map of the community
on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delineated the areas
of special flood hazard and regulatory floodways.
Flood hazard boundary map (FHBM) means an official map of a community, issued by FEMA
where the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard have been defined as Zone A.
Flood insurance rate map (FIRM) means an official map of a community, on which
FEMA has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones
applicable to the community.
Flood insurance study means the official hydrology and hydraulics report provided by FEMA.
This report contains an examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazards, and if appropriate,
corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation, and determination of mudslide as
well as other -flood related erosion hazards. The study may also contain flood profiles, as well as the flood
insurance rate map, the flood boundary- floodway map (where applicable) and other related data and
information.
Floodplain means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see
definition of "flooding ".
Floodplain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive
measures for reducing flood damage and preserving and enhancing, where possible, natural resources in
the floodplain, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain
management regulations, and open space plans.
Floodplain Administrator is the individual appointed to administer and enforce the floodplain
regulations of the City of Atlantic Beach.
Floodplain management regulations means this ordinance and other zoning ordinances,
subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain
ordinance, grading ordinance, and erosion control ordinance, and other applications of police power
which control development in flood -prone areas. This term describes Federal, State of Florida, or local
regulations in any combination thereof, which provide standards for preventing and reduction flood Toss
and damage.
Floodproofing means any combination of structural and non - structural additions, changes, or
adjustments to structures, which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real
property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.
Floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must
be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface
elevation more than one foot.
Floodway fringe means that area of the one - percent (base or 100 -year) floodplain on either side
of the regulatory floodway.
Freeboard means the additional height, usually expressed as a factor of safety in feet, above a
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 4 of 20
flood level for purposes of floodplain management. Freeboard tends to compensate for many unknown
factors, such as wave action, blockage of bridge or culvert openings, and hydrological effect of
urbanization of the watershed, which could contribute to flood heights greater than the heights calculation
for a selected frequency flood a floodway conditions. Freeboard for the City of Atlantic Beach is two and
one half (2.5) feet above the 100 year base flood elevation.
Free of Obstruction means any type of lower area enclosure or other construction element will
not obstruct the flow of velocity water and wave action beneath the lowest horizontal structural member
of the lowest floor of an elevated building during a base flood event. This requirement applies to the
structures in velocity zones (V- Zones).
Functionally dependent facility means a facility which cannot be used for its intended purpose
unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility necessary
for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding, ship repair, or seafood processing
facilities. The term does not include long -term storage, manufacture, sales, or service facilities.
Hardship as related to variances for this ordinance means the exceptional difficulty associated
with the land that would result for a failure to grant the requested variance. The community requires that
the variance is exceptional, unusual, and peculiar to the property involved. Mere economic or financial
hardship alone is not exceptional. Inconvenience, aesthetic considerations, physical handicaps, personal
preferences, or the disapproval of one's neighbors likewise cannot, as a rule, qualify as an exceptional
hardship; all of these problems can be resolved through other means without granting a variance, even if
the alternative is more expensive, or requires the property owner to building elsewhere or put the parcel to
a different use than originally intended.
Historic Structure means any structure that is:
(1) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the
Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the
requirements for individual listing on the National Register:
(2) Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the
historical significance of a register district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to
qualify as a registered historic district:
(3) Individually listed on the Florida inventory of historic places, which has been approved by the
Secretary of the Interior, or
(4) Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic
preservation programs that have been certified either:
(a) By the Florida program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, or
(b) Directly by the Secretary of Interior.
Highest adjacent grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to
construction, next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Lowest adjacent grade means the lowest elevation, after completion of construction, of the
ground, sidewalk, patio, deck support, or basement entryway immediately next to the structure.
Lowest floor means the lowest floor of the area's lowest enclosed area (including basement) of a
building. An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, used solely for parking of vehicles, building access,
or storage in an area other than a basement, is not considered a buildings lowest floor, provided that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the nonelevation design standards of this
chapter. Structures mean a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, a manufactured
home, or a gas or liquid storage tank.
Mangrove stand means an assemblage of mangrove trees which is mostly low trees noted for a
copious development of interlacing adventitious roots above the ground and which contain one or more of
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the following species: Black mangrove (Avicennia nitida); red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle); white
mangrove (Languncularia racemosa); and buttonwood (Conocarpus erecta).
Mean sea level means the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a
reference for establishing various elevations within the floodplain. For purposes of this chapter the term is
synonymous with national geodetic vertical datum (NGVD).
Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more, sections, which is built on a
permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the
required utilities. The term also includes park trailers, travel trailers, and similar transportable structures
placed on a site for one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved
property.
Manufactured home park or subdivision means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided
into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Market value means the building value, which is the property value excluding the land value and
that of the detached accessory structure and other improvements on site (as agreed to be between a willing
buyer and seller) as established by what the local real estate market will bear. Market value can be
established by an independent certified appraisal (other than a limited or curbside appraisal, or one based
on income approach), Actual Cash Value (replacement cost depreciated for age and quality of
construction of building), or adjusted tax - assessed values.
Mean Sea Level means the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a
reference for establishing various elevations within the floodplain. For purposes of this ordinance, the
term is synonymous with National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, or North American
Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988.
National geodetic vertical datum (NGVD), as corrected in 1929, is a vertical control used as a
reference for establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.
New construction means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after
March 23, 1987. The term also includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
New manufactured home park or subdivision means a manufactured home park or
subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the
manufactured home are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the
construction of streets, and either final side grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed
on or after March 23, 1987.
North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 means a vertical control used as a reference for
establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.
Primary frontal dune means a continuous of nearly continuous mound or ridge of sand with
relatively steep seaward and landward slopes immediately landward and adjacent to the beach and subject
to erosion and overtopping from high tides and waves during major coastal storms. The inland limit of the
primary frontal dune occurs at the point where there is a distinct change from a relatively steep slope to a
relatively mild slope.
Principally above ground means that at least 51 percent of the actual cash value of the structure is
above ground.
Program deficiency means a defect in the community's floodplain management regulations or
administrative procedures that impairs effective implementation of those floodplain management
regulations or of the standards required by the National Flood Insurance Program.
Public safety and nuisance means anything which is injurious to safety or health of the entire
community or a neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free
passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin.
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Reasonably safe from flooding means base flood waters will not inundate the land or damage
structures to be removed from the SFHA and that any subsurface waters related to the base flood will not
damage existing or proposed building.
Recreational vehicle means a vehicle that is:
(1) built on a single chassis;
(2) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
(3) Designed to be self - propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
(4) Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living
quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
Regulatory floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land
areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water
surface elevation more than a designated height.
Remedy a deficiency or violation means to bring the regulation, procedure, structure or other
development into compliance with State of Florida, Federal, or local floodplain management regulations;
or if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance. Ways the impacts may be reduced
include protecting the structure or other affected development from flood damages, implementing the
enforcement provisions of this ordinance or otherwise deterring future similar violations, or reducing
Federal financial exposure with regard to the structure or other development.
Repetitive loss means flood related damage sustained by a structure on two separate occasions
during a 10 -year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average,
equals or exceeds 25 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Riverine means relating to, formed by, or resembling a river (including tributaries) stream,
brook, etc.
Sand dunes mean naturally occurring accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds landward of the
beach.
Shallow flooding— see area of shallow flooding.
Special flood hazard area — see area of special flood hazard.
Start of construction, for other than new construction or substantial improvements under the
Coastal Barrier Resources Art (P.L. 97 -348), includes substantial improvement, and means the date the
building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, or
improvement was within one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit date. The actual start means the first
placement of permanent construction of a structure (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the
pouring of slabs or footings, installation of piles, construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage
of excavation or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not
include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets
and /or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the
erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings,
such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure.
Structures means for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building that is
principally above ground, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank.
Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of
restoring the structure to it's before damage condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market
value of the structure before the damage occurred. This term also includes "repetitive loss" structure as
defined herein.
Substantial improvement means any repair, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement to a
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 7 of 20
structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure, either
(1) before the improvement or repair is started, or (2) if the structure has been damaged and is being
restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition, "substantial improvement" is
considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the
building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The
term does not, however, include any project for improvement of a structure required to comply with
existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living
conditions. This term does not include any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration
will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
Substantial improved existing manufactured home parks or subdivision is where the repair,
reconstruction, rehabilitation, or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or exceeds 50
percent of the value of the streets, utilities and pads before the repair, reconstruction or improvement
commenced.
Variance is a grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a
manner otherwise prohibited by this chapter where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary
hardship.
Violation means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the
requirements of this ordinance. A structure of other development without the elevation certificate, other
certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in this ordinance is presumed to be in violation
until such time so as that documentation is provided.
Watercourse means a lake, river, creek, stream, wash, channel or other topographical feature on
or over which waters flow at least periodically. Watercourse includes specifically designated areas in
which substantial flood damage may occur.
Water surface elevation means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum
(NGVD) of 1929 or the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988, of floods of various
magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.
Sec. 8 - 6. Lands to which this chapter applies.
This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Atlantic
Beach, Florida.
Sec. 8 - 7. Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its
most recently published Flood Insurance Study /Flood Insurance Rate Map, with accompanying maps and
other supporting data, and any revision thereto, are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this
chapter.
Sec. 8 - 8. Compliance.
No structure or land shall hereafter be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without
full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.
Sec. 8 - 9. Abrogation and greater restrictions.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or
deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and an ordinance conflict or overlap, whichever imposes
the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
Sec. 8 - 10. Interpretation.
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be: (1) Considered as
minimum requirements; (2) liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and (3) deemed neither to
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 8 of 20
limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.
Sec. 8 - 11. Warning and disclaimer of liability.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory
purposes and is based on scientific and engineering consideration. Larger floods can and will occur on
rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not
imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free
from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of Atlantic Beach or by
any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any
administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
Sec. 8 - 12. Penalties for violation.
Violation of the provisions of this chapter or failure to comply with any of its requirements,
including violation of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance or
special exceptions, shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to
comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than five hundred
dollars ($500.00), and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such
violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city
from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 8 -21. Local floodplain administrator.
The City of Atlantic Beach hereby appoints the Building Official, unless otherwise designated by
the city manager, to administer and implement the provisions of this chapter, and is herein referred to as
the Floodplain Administrator.
Sec. 8 - 22. Same -- Duties and responsibilities.
Duties of the local floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Review all development permits to assure that the permit requirements of this chapter
have been satisfied and those sites are reasonably safe from flooding.
(2) Require copies of additional Federal, State of Florida, or local permits, especially as they
relate to Chapters 161.052; 320.8249; 320; 320.8359; 373.036; 380.05; 381.0065; and
553, Part IV, Florida Statutes, be submitted along with the development permit
application and maintain such permits on file with the development permit.
(3) Notify adjacent communities and the Florida Department of Community Affairs —
Division of Emergency Management — State Floodplain Management Office, St. Johns
River Water Management District, prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse,
and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(4) Notify FEMA within six months when new technical or scientific data becomes available to
the community concerning physical changes affecting flooding conditions so that risk
premium rates and flood plain management requirements will be based on current data.
(5) Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said
watercourse so that the flood - carrying capacity is not diminished.
(6) Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor
(A- Zones) or bottom of the lowest horizontal structure member of the lowest floor (V-
Zones) of all new and substantially improved buildings, in accordance with section 8 -32;
(7) Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which the new
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 9 of 20
and substantially improved buildings have been flood - proofed, in accordance with
section 8 -32.
(8) Review certified plans and specifications for compliance. When flood - proofing is utilized
for a particular building, certification shall be obtained from a registered engineer or
architect certifying that all areas of the building, together with attendant utilities and
sanitary facilities, below the required elevation are water tight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water, and use structural components having the capability
of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy in
compliance with this Chapter. In Coastal High Hazard Areas, certification shall be
obtained from a registered professional engineer or architect that the building is designed
and securely anchored to pilings or columns in order to withstand velocity waters and
hurricane wave wash. Additionally in Coastal High Hazard Areas, if the area below the
lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor is enclosed, it may be done so
with open wood lattice and insect screening or with non - supporting breakaway walls that
meet the standards of section 8 -32 (b) of this ordinance;
(9) Where Base Flood Data is utilized, obtain and maintain records of the lowest floor
and floodproofing elevations for new construction and substantial improvement in
accordance with section 8 -32 (a) and (b) respectively.
(10) Interpret exact location of boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard (for example,
where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field
conditions) the local floodplain administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. The
person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to
appeal the interpretation as provided in this article.
(11) When base flood elevation data or floodway data have not been provided in accordance
with section 8 -7, then the local floodplain administrator shall obtain, review and
reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal,
state or other source, in order to administer the provisions of article III.
(12) All records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter shall be maintained in the office of
the local floodplain administrator shall be open for public inspection, and
(13) Coordinate all change requests to the FIS, FIRM and FBFM with the requester, State of
Florida and FEMA.
Sec. 8 - 23. Development permit -- Established.
A development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior
to the commencement of any development activities.
Sec. 8 - 24. Same -- Application procedure.
Application for a development permit shall be made to the Floodplain Administrator on forms
furnished by him or her prior to any development activities, and may include, but not be limited to, the
following plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of
the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities, and the
location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required:
(a) Application stage.
(1) Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the proposed lowest floor (including basement)
of all buildings;
(2) Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 10 of 20
floodproofed;
(3) Certificate from a registered professional engineer or architect that the nonresidential
floodproofed structure will meet the floodproofing criteria in section 8- 32(b);
(4) Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result
of proposed development; and
(5) Elevation in relation to mean sea level of the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural
member of the lowest floor and provide a certification form a registered engineer or
architect indicating that they have developed and /or reviewed the structural designs,
specifications and plans of the construction and certified they are in accordance with
accepted standards of practice in Coastal High Hazard Areas.
(b) Construction stage. Upon placement of the lowest floor, or floodproofing by whatever
construction means, or upon placement of the horizontal structural members of the lowest floor,
whichever is applicable, it shall be the duty of the permit holder to submit to the Floodplain
Administrator a certification of the NGVD or NAVD elevation of the lowest floor, floodproofed
elevation, or the elevation of the lowest portion of the horizontal structural members of the lowest
floor, whichever is applicable, as built, in relation to mean sea level. Said certification shall be
prepared by or under the direct supervision of a registered land surveyor or professional engineer
and certified by same. When floodproofing is utilized for a particular building, said certification
shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer or architect and
certified by same. Any work undertaken prior to submission of the certification shall be at the
permit holder's risk. The Floodplain Administrator shall review the floor elevation survey data
submitted. Deficiencies detected by such review shall be corrected by the permit holder
immediately and prior to further progressive work being permitted to proceed. Failure to submit
the survey or failure to make said corrections required hereby, shall be cause to issue a stop -work
order for the project.
Sec. 8 - 25. Variance procedures.
(a) The City Commission shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the
requirements of this chapter.
(b) The City Commission shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any
requirement, decision, or determination made by the Floodplain Administrator in the
enforcement or administration of this chapter.
(c) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the City Commission or any taxpayer may appeal such
decision to the Circuit Court of the State of Florida.
(d) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures listed on
the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places without regard
to the procedures set forth in the remainder of this section, except for section 8- 25(h)(1) and (4),
and provided the proposed reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration will not result in the
structure losing its historical designation.
(e) In passing upon such applications, the board of appeals shall consider all technical evaluations, all
relevant factors, all standards specified in other sections of this chapter, and:
(1) The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
(2) The danger of life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
(3) The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect
of such damage on the individual owner;
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 11 of 20
(4) The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
(5) The necessity of the facility to a waterfront location, in the case of a functionally
dependent facility;
(6) The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or erosion damage, for
the proposed use;
(7) The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
(8) The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain
management program for that area;
(9) The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency
vehicles;
(10) The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood
waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and
(11) The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions including
maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and
water systems, and streets and bridges.
(0 Upon consideration of the factors listed above, and the purposes of this chapter, the City
Commission may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to
further the purposes of this chapter.
(g) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels
during the base flood discharge would result.
(h) Conditions for variances:
(1) Variances shall only by issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum
necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; and in the instance of a historical
building, a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary so as not to destroy
the historic character and design of the building.
(2) Variances shall only be issued upon (i) a showing of good and sufficient cause, (ii) a
determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship; and
(iii) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood
heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisance,
cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or
ordinances.
(3) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice specifying the
difference between the base flood elevation and the elevation to which the structure is to
be built and stating that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the
increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
(4) The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal actions and report
any variances to the Federal Emergency Management Agency upon request.
(i) Variance Notification.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice over the signature of
the Mayor that:
(1) The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood elevation
will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25
for $100 of insurance coverage, and,
(2) Such construction below the base flood level increases the risks to life and
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 12 of 20
property.
A copy of the notice shall be recorded by the City Clerk in the Duval County
public records so that it appears in the chain of title of the affected parcel of land.
ARTICLE III. FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION STANDARDS
Sec. 8 -31. General standards.
In all areas of special flood hazard, all development sites including new construction and
substantial improvements shall be reasonably safe from flooding and meet the following
provisions:
(a) New construction and substantial improvements shall be designed or modified and adequately
anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from
hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effect of buoyancy;
(b) Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent 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 standard shall be in addition to and consistent with applicable State of
Florida requirements for resisting wind forces.
(c) New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility
equipment resistant to flood damage.
(d) New construction or substantial improvements shall be constructed by methods and practices that
minimize flood damage.
(e) Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air - conditioning equipment, and other service facilities,
including duct work, shall be designed and /or located so as to prevent water from entering or
accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(f) New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the system.
(g) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate
infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters.
(h) On -site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or
contamination from them during flooding.
(i) Any alteration, repair reconstruction or improvements to a structure which is in compliance with
the provisions of this chapter shall meet the requirements of "new construction" as contained in
this chapter.
(j) Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvements to a building that is not in compliance with
the provisions of the ordinance, shall be undertaken only if said nonconformity is not furthered,
extended, or replaced;
(k) All applicable additional Federal, State of Florida, and local permits shall be obtained and
submitted to the Floodplain Administrator along with the application for development permit.
Copies of such shall be maintained on file with the development permit. State of Florida permits
may include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) St. Johns River Water Management District: in accordance with Chapter 373.036 Florida
Statutes, Section (2) (a) -- Flood Protection and Floodplain Management;
(2) Department of Community Affairs: in accordance with Chapter 380.05 F.S. Areas of Critical
State Concern, and Chapter 553, Part IV F.S., Florida Building Code;
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 13 of 20
(3) Department of Health: in accordance with Chapter 381.0065 F.S. Onsite Site Sewage
Treatment and Disposal Systems; and
(4) Department of Environmental Protection, Coastal Construction Control Line: in accordance
with Chapter 161.053 F.S. Coastal Construction and Excavation;
(1) Standards for Subdivision Proposals and other new Proposed Development (including
Manufactured homes):
(1) Such proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(2) Such shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems
located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage; and
(3) Such proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(m) When proposed new construction and substantial improvements are partially located in an area
of special flood hazard, the entire structure shall meet the standards for new construction.
(n) When proposed new construction and substantial improvements are located in multiple flood
hazard risk zones or in a flood hazard risk zone with multiple base flood elevation, the entire
structure shall meet the standards for the most hazardous flood hazard risk zone and the highest
base flood elevation.
Sec. 8 - 32. Specific standards.
In all A -Zone areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data have been provided
(Zones AE, AI -30, A (with base flood elevations) and AH), as set forth in section 8 -7 the following
provisions are required in addition to those set forth in Section 8 -31:
(a) Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential
structure (including manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement,
elevated no lower than two and one half feet (2.5') above base flood elevation. Should solid
foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the
unimpeded movements of flood waters shall be provided in accordance with standards of section
8- 32(c).
(b) Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial,
industrial, or nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no
lower than the level of the base flood elevation. Structures located in all A Zones may be
floodproofed in lieu of being elevated provided that all areas of the structure below the required
elevation are water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, and use
structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and
the effect of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the
standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification along with the corresponding
engineering data, and the operational and maintenance plans shall be provided to the Floodplain
Administrator.
(c) Enclosures below the Lowest Floor. New construction or substantial improvements that include
fully enclosed areas formed by foundation and other exterior walls below the lowest floor shall
be designed to preclude finished living space and designed to allow for entry and exit of
floodwaters to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls.
(1) Designs for complying with this requirement must either be certified by a professional
engineer or architect or meet the following minimum criteria:
(2) Provide a minimum of two (2) openings on different sides 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;
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 14 of 20
(3) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above adjacent interior grade
(which must be equal to or higher in elevation than the adjacent exterior grade); and
(4) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices
provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions.
(5) Electrical, plumbing, and other utility connections are prohibited below the base flood
elevation.
(6) Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to allow for parking of
vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection
with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the living area (stairway or
elevator).
(7) The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned or finished into
separate rooms.
(d) Standards for Manufactured Homes and Recreational Vehicles
(1) All manufactured homes that are placed, or substantially improved within Zones A1-30,
AH, and AE, on sites outside of an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, in a
new manufactured home park or subdivision, in an expansion to an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision, or in an existing manufactured home park or
subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as the
result of a flood, the lowest floor be elevated on a permanent foundation to no lower than
two and one half (2.5) feet above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an
adequately anchored foundation system to resist floatation, collapse, and lateral
movement.
(2) All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved in an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision that are not subject to these provision of
paragraph 4 (a) of this Section, must be elevated so that either:
(a) The lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to no lower than two
and one -half feet above the base flood elevation, or
(b) The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or their
foundation elements of at least an equivalent strength that are no less than 66
inches in height above the grade and securely anchored to an adequately
anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
(3) All recreational vehicles must be either:
(a) Be on the site for fewer than 180 days,
(b) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use (a recreational vehicle is ready
for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking s system, is attached to the site
only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices and has not
permanently attached additions), or
(c) Meet all the requirements for new construction, including anchoring and
elevation standards in accordance with Section 8 -32.
(e) Adequate drainage paths around structures shall be provided on slopes to guide water away from
structures with Zone AH.
(f) Standards for waterways with established Base Flood Elevations but without Regulatory
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 15 of 20
Floodways.
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in Section 8 -7 of this ordinance, where
streams exist for which base flood elevation data has been provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency without the delineation of the regulatory floodway (A Zones AE and A1-30),
the following provisions, in addition to those set forth in Section 8 -32 (a) through (e), shall apply:
(1) Until a regulatory floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial
improvements, or other development including fill shall be permitted within the areas of
special flood hazard, unless it is demonstrated 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 point
in the community.
(2) Development activities which increase the water surface elevation of the base flood
by more than one foot may be allowed, provided that the developer or applicant first
applies — with the community's endorsement- for a conditional FIRM revision, and
receives the approval of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
(g) Standards for waterways with established Base Flood Elevations and Floodways. Located within
the areas of special flood hazard established in Section 8 -7 of this ordinance, are areas
designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the
high velocity of flood waters which carry debris, potential projectiles and have significant
erosion potential, the following provisions, in addition to those set forth in Section 8 -32
(a) through (e), shall apply:
(1) Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements
and other developments within the regulatory floodway unless certification (with
supporting technical data) by a registered professional engineer is provided through
hydrological and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering
practice demonstrating the encroachments would not result in any increase in flood level
during occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(2) Development activities including new construction and substantial improvements
within the regulatory floodway that increase the base flood elevation may be allowed,
provided that the developer or applicant first applies — with the community's
endorsement- for a conditional FIRM revision, and receives the approval from FEMA.
(3) When fill is proposed, in accordance with the permit issued by the Florida
Department of Health, within the regulatory floodway, the development shall be issued
only upon demonstration by appropriate engineering analyses that the proposed fill will
not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood in accordance with Section 8 -32
(g)(
(h) For all structures located seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), the lowest
floor of all new construction and substantial improvement shall be elevated to no lower than the
100 -year flood elevation established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or
by FEMA in accordance with section 8 -7, whichever is higher. All non - elevation design
requirements of Section 8 -32 shall apply. (e) Coastal high hazard areas (V
Zones). Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in section 8 -7 are
areas designated as coastal high hazard areas, designated as Zones V1 -30, VE, or V (with
BFE). The following provisions shall apply:
(1) Meet the standards of Section 8 -24, Section 8 -31 and Section 8 -32 (except g).
(2) All buildings or structures shall be elevated so that the bottom of the lowest supporting
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 16 of 20
horizontal member (excluding piles or columns) is located no lower than two and one -
half feet above the base flood elevation level, whether or not the structure contains a
basement.
(3) All new construction and substantial improvements in Zones V1 -30, VE, and V
(with BFE) shall be securely anchored on pilings or columns.
(4) The piling or column foundation and the attached structures shall be anchored to resist
flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effect of wind and water loads acting
simultaneously on all building components. The anchoring and support system shall be
designed with wind and water loading values which equal or exceed the 100 -year mean
recurrence interval (one percent annual chance flood). Wind loading values will be those
required by the applicable State of Florida or local, if more stringent than those of the
State of Florida, building standards.
(5) For all buildings located seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL), the
bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor of all new
construction and substantial improvements shall be elevated to the 100 -year flood
elevation established by the Florida Department of Environmental protection or the base
flood elevation plus two and one -half feet, whichever is the higher. All non - elevation
design requirements of this section shall apply.
(6) A registered professional engineer or architect shall develop or review the structural
design, specifications and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and
methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice
for meeting with the provisions contained in this section.
(7) The elevation (in relationship to mean sea level) must be obtained of the bottom of the
lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding pilings and columns)
of all new and substantially improved structures. The Floodplain Administrator shall
maintain a record of all such information.
(8) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be located landward of the reach
of the mean high tide.
(9) There shall be no fill used as structural support. Noncompacted fill may be used around
the perimeter of a building for landscaping/aesthetic purposes provided the fill will wash
out from storm surge, thereby rendering the building free of obstruction, prior to
generating excessive loading forces, ramping effects, or wave deflection. The Floodplain
Administrator shall approve design plans for landscaping/aesthetic fill only after the
applicant has provided an analysis by an engineer, architect, and /or soil scientist, which
demonstrates that the following factors have been fully considered:
a. Particle composition of fill material does not have a tendency for excessive
natural compaction;
b. Volume and distribution of fill will not cause wave deflection to adjacent
properties; and
c. Slope of fill will not cause wave run -up or ramping.
(10) When fill is proposed, in accordance with the permit issued by the Florida Department of
Health, in costal high hazard areas, the development permit shall be issued only upon
demonstration by appropriate engineering analyses that the proposed fill will not increase
the water surface elevation of the base flood nor cause any adverse impacts to the
structure on site or other properties by wave ramping or deflection.
(11) There shall be no alteration of sand dunes or mangrove stands which would increase
potential flood damage.
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 1 of 20
(12) All new construction and substantial improvements shall have the space below the lowest
floor either free of obstruction or constructed with nonsupporting breakaway walls,
lattice work or insect screening intended to collapse under the wind and water loads
without causing collapse, displacement or other structural damage to the elevated portion
of the foundation or supporting foundation system. For the purpose of this section, a
breakaway wall shall have a design safe loading resistance of not less than 10 and no
more than 20 pounds per square foot. Use of breakaway walls which exceed a design safe
loading resistance of 20 pounds per square foot (either by design or when so required by
State of Florida or local codes) may be permitted only if a registered engineer or architect
certified that the designs proposed are not part of the structural support of the building
and are designed so as to breakaway, under abnormally high tides or wave action, without
damage to the structural integrity of the building on which they are to be used.
(13) Such enclosed space shall not be designed to be used for human habitation, but
shall be designed to be used only for parking of vehicles, building access, or
limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises.
Such space shall not be finished, partitioned into multiple rooms or temperature -
controlled.
(14) Prohibit the placement of manufactured homes (mobile homes), except in an existing
manufactured home (mobile home) park or subdivision. A replacement manufactured
home may be placed on a lot in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision
provided the anchoring standards of section 8- 31(b), and the elevation standards of
section 8 -32(a) are met.
Sec. 8 -33. Standards for A -Zones without established base flood elevations and/or regulatory
floodways.
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in section 8 -7, there exist A Zones
where no base flood data have been provided or where no floodways have been provided, the
following provisions apply:
(a) Require standards of Section 8 -32 be enforced.
(b) Require that all new subdivision proposals and other proposed developments
(including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions) greater than
50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is lesser, include within such proposals base flood
elevation data. Standards set forth in Section 8 -32 shall apply.
(c) The Floodplain Administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood
elevation and floodway data available from a Federal, State of Florida, or any other
source, in order to administer the provisions of this ordinance. When such data is utilized,
provisions of Section 8 -32 shall apply. The Floodplain Administrator shall:
a) Obtain the elevation (in relation to the mean sea level) of the lowest floor
(including the basement) of all new and substantially improved structures.
b) Obtain, if the structure has been floodproofed in accordance with the
requirements of Section 8 -32, the elevation in relation to the mean sea level to
which the structure has been floodproofed, and
c) Maintain a record of all information.
(d) Notify, in Riverine situations, adjacent communities, the Florida Department of
Community Affairs- NFIP Coordinating Office, and the St. Johns River Water
Management District prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit
copies of such notifications to FEMA.
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 18 of 20
(e) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of any
watercourse is maintained.
(f) Manufactured homes shall be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood
damage. They must be elevated and anchored to prevent floatation, collapse, and lateral
movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over - the -top
or frame ties to the ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable State of
Florida and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
(g) When the data is not available from any source, in accordance with standards set forth in
Section 8 -32, the lowest floor of the structure shall be elevated to no lower than three feet
above the highest adjacent grade. Standards set forth in Section 8 -32 shall apply.
Sec. 8 - 34. Standards for subdivision proposals.
(a) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.
(b) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas electrical and
water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
(c) All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood
hazards;
(d) Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed
development (including manufactured home parks and subdivisions) which is greater than the
lesser of fifty (50) lots or five (5) acres.
Sec. 8 - 35. Standards for areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones).
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in section 8 -7, are areas designated as
shallow flooding areas. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one to
three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is
unpredictable and indeterminate; therefore, the following provisions apply:
(a) All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures in all AO
Zones shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth number
specified on the flood insurance rate map, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade. If no
depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated, at least
three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade.
(b) All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall:
(1) Have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the depth number
specified on the flood insurance rate map, in feet, above the highest adjacent
grade. If no depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement shall
be elevated at least three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade; or
(2) Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed
no less than one foot above that level so that any space below that level 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.
(3) Adequate drainage paths around structures shall be provided on slopes to guide
water away from structures.
(4) Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding shall meet
the non - elevation design requirements of section 8 -32.
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 19 of 20
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its final passage and adoption.
PASSED by the City Commission on first reading this 26th day of September, 2011.
PASSED by the City Commission on second and final reading the 10th day of October, 2011.
ATTEST: �j
4 041 fila I ad�2LA
DONNA L. BARTLE, CMC MIKE BORNO
City Cler Mayor, Presiding Officer
A 1 NSEN, ESQUIRE
Ci orney
Ordinance No. 25 -11 -42 Page 20 of 20