Section D - Standards for Floodplain Districts

Other

• Anchoring to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement

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

• Enclosed areas below flood protection elevation use restrictions

  Fully enclosed areas below the regulatory flood protection elevation shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall only be used for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage of maintenance equipment.

• Maintain flood carrying capacity

  The flood carrying capacity within an altered or relocated portion of any watercourse shall be maintained.

• Flood-resistant materials below flood protection elevation

  Be constructed entirely of flood resistant materials below the regulatory flood protection elevation.

• Flood-resistant materials and utility equipment

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

• Openings to equalize hydrostatic flood forces1 sq in per sq ftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.

  Provide a minimum of two openings on different sides of each enclosed area subject to flooding. The total net area of all openings must be at least one (1) square inch for each square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all required openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above the adjacent grade.

• Manufactured homesManufactured homeA dwelling built in a factory to a federal standard and transported to the site. anchored

  Manufactured homes shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.

• Manufactured homesManufactured homeA dwelling built in a factory to a federal standard and transported to the site. elevated to BFE + 1 foot1 ft

  All manufactured homes placed, or substantially improved, on individual lots or parcels, in expansions to existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions, in a new manufactured home park or subdivision or in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufacture home has incurred substantial damage as the result of a flood, must meet all the requirements for new construction, including the elevation and anchoring requirements.

• Non-residential lowest floor elevation or floodproofing1 ft

  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 elevation to a minimum of one foot freeboard. Buildings may be floodproofed in lieu of being elevated.

• Recreational vehicle placement requirements180 days

  All recreational vehicles placed on sites must either: be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or meet all the requirements for manufactured homes.

• Residential lowest floor elevation1 ft

  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 elevation to a minimum of one foot freeboard.

• Sanitary sewage systems minimize infiltration and discharge

  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.

• Utilities designed to prevent water entry

  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 located to avoid impairment

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

• Water supply systems minimize infiltration

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

• Permit required for watercourse alteration

  Prior to any proposed alteration or relocation of any channels or of any watercourse, stream, etc., within this jurisdiction a permit shall be obtained from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

• Zoning permit required for all development

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