Article III, Section 3.1.B; Article IV

Floodplain

• AccessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. structure maximum size600 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Accessory structures in the SFHA shall comply with the elevation requirements... or, if not elevated or dry floodproofed, shall: ... Be limited to no more than 600 square feet in total floor area.

• Anchoring

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

• Non-residential elevation18 inches

  New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or non-residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level plus eighteen (18) inches.

• Residential elevation18 inches

  New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones A1-30, AE, AH, and A with detailed base flood elevations shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level plus eighteen (18) inches.

• Flood-resistant materials

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

• Overlay districtOverlay districtA second set of rules laid over the base district, adding requirements without replacing it.

  The floodplain districts described above shall be overlays to the existing underlying districts as shown on the official zoning ordinance map, and as such, the provisions for the floodplain districts shall serve as a supplement to the underlying district provisions.

• Zoning permit required

  All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain district shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a zoning permit.

• Space below lowest floor

  In zones A, AE, AH, AO, and A1-A30, fully enclosed areas, of new construction or substantially improved structures, which are below the regulatory flood protection elevation shall: Not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage...

• Subdivision standards

  All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage; shall have public utilities and facilities located and constructed to minimize flood damage; shall have adequate drainage; and base flood elevation data shall be obtained for subdivisions exceeding fifty lots or five acres.