Section 611

New construction and substantial improvements shall be according to the VA USBC, and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure.

When such base flood elevation data is utilized, the lowest floor shall be elevated to or above the base flood level.

New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level. Buildings located in all A1-30, AE, and AH zones may be floodproofed in lieu of being elevated.

New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level.

New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.

All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood depth specified on the flood insurance rate map, above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM. If no flood depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated no less than one foot freeboard above the flood depth level above the highest adjacent grade; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed to the specified flood level.

All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood depth specified on the flood insurance rate map, above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM. If no flood depth number is specified, the lowest floor, including basement, shall be elevated no less than one foot freeboard above the flood depth level above the highest adjacent grade.

No new construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within the areas of special flood hazard, designated as zones A1-30 and AE on the flood insurance rate map, 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 within the Town of Bedford.

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.

On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding.

New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system.

Existing structures in the floodway area shall not be expanded or enlarged unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practices that the proposed expansion would not result in any increase in the base flood elevation.

Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments are prohibited unless certification such as hydrologic and hydraulic analyses is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood.

The placement of manufactured homes (mobile homes) is prohibited, except in an existing manufactured homes (mobile homes) park or subdivision.

All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage; shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage; shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development proposals that exceed 50 lots or five acres, whichever is the lesser.

Variances shall be issued only upon a showing of good and sufficient cause; after the board of zoning appeals has determined that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and after the board of zoning appeals has determined that the granting of such variance will not result in unacceptable or prohibited increases in flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud or victimization of the public, or conflict with local laws or ordinances.