HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-O-12 - Flood Damage PreventionORDINANCE NO. 1987-12
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE
ARTICLE I
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE AND METHODS
SECTION A. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of Texas has in Section 16.315 of
the Water Code of the State of Texas delegated the responsibil-
ity to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed
to minimize flood losses.
Therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS, as follows:
SECTION B. FINDINGS OF FACT
(1) The flood hazard areas of the City of Stephenville
are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of
life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of
commerce and governmental services, and extraordinary public
expenditures for flood protection and relief, all of which
adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
(2) These flood losses are created by the cumulative
effect of obstructions in floodplains which cause an increase
in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy of flood
hazards areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to
other lands because they are inadequately elevated, flood -
proofed or otherwise protected from flood damage.
SECTION C. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this ordinance 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) 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 future flood blight areas; and
(7) Insure that potential buyers are notified that
property is in a flood area.
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SECTION D. METHODS OF REDUCING FLOOD LOSSES
In order to accomplish its purposes, this ordinance uses the
following methods:
(1) Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to
health, safety or property in times of flood, or cause exces-
sive increases 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 develop-
ment which may increase flood damage;
(5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood
barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which
may increase flood hazards to other lands.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this ordinance shall be interpreted to give them the meaning
they have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most
reasonable application.
APPEAL - means a request for a review of the Flood Plain
Administrator's interpretation of any provision of this
ordinance or a request for a variance.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING - means a designated AO, AH, or VO
zone on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a
one percent chance or greater annual chance of flooding to an
average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined
channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpre-
dictable 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 area may be designated as
Zone A on the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM). After detailed
ratemaking has been completed in preparation for publication of
the FIRM, Zone A usually is refined into Zones A, AE, AH, AO,
Al-99, VO, V1-30, VE or V.
BASE FLOOD - means the flood having a one percent chance of
being equalled or exceeded in any given year.
CRITICAL FEATURE - means an integral and readily identifiable
part of a flood protection system, without which the flood
protection provided by the entire system would be compromised.
DEVELOPMENT - means any man-made change in improved and
unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings
or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading,
paving, excavation or drilling operations.
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ELEVATED BUILDING - means a nonbasement building (i) built, in
the case of a building in Zones Al-30, AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B,
C, X, and D, to have the top of the elevated floor, or in the
case of a building in Zones V1-30, VE, or V, to have the bottom
of the lowest horizontal structure member of the elevated floor
elevated above the ground level by means of pilings, column
(posts and piers), or shear walls parallel to the floor of the
water and (ii) adequately anchored so as not to impair the
structural integrity of the building during a flood of up to
the magnitude of the base flood. In the case of Zones Al-30,
AE, A, A99, AO, AH, B, C, X, D, "elevated building" also
includes a building elevated by means of fill or solid founda-
tion perimeter walls with opening sufficient to facilitate the
unimpeded movement of flood waters. In the case of Zones
V1-30, VE, or V, "elevated building" also includes a building
otherwise meeting the definition of "elevated building", even
though the lower area is enclosed by means of breakaway walls
if the breakaway walls meet the standards of Section 60.3(e)(5)
of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations.
EXISTING CONSTRUCTION - means for the purposes of determining
rates, structures for which the "start of construction" com-
menced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January
1, 1975, for FIRMs effective before that date. "Existing
construction" may also be referred to as "existing structures."
FLOOD OR FLOODING - means a general and temporary condition of
partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) the overflow of inland or tidal waters.
(2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of
surface waters from any source.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) - means an official map of a
community, on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has
9 delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk
i premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY - is the official report provided by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. The report contains flood
profiles, water surface elevation of the base flood, as well as
the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map.
FLOODPLAIN OR FLOOD -PRONE AREA - means any land area suscep-
tible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition
of flooding).
FLOOD PROTECTION SYSTEM - means those physical structural works
for which funds have been authorized, appropriated, and expended
and which have been constructed specifically to modify flooding
in order to reduce the extent of the areas within a community
subject to a "special flood hazard" and the extent of the
depths of associated flooding. Such a system typically
includes hurricane tidal barriers, dams, reservoirs, levees or
dikes. These specialized flood modifying works are those
constructed in conformance with sound engineering standards.
FLOODWAY (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 cumula-
} tively increasing the water surface elevation more than one
foot at any point within the community.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE - means a use which cannot perform
its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in
close proximity to water. The term includes only docking
facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading
and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and
ship repair facilities, but does not include long-term storage
or related manufacturing facilities.
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HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE - means the highest natural elevation of
the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed
walls of a structure.
LEVEE - means a man-made structure, usually an earthen embank-
ment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineer-
ing practices to contain, control, or divert the flow of water
so as to provide protection from temporary flooding.
LEVEE SYSTEM - means a flood protection system which consists
of a levee, or levees, and associated structures, such as
closure and drainage devices, which are constructed and
operated in accordance with sound engineering practices.
LOWEST FLOOR - means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed
area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant
enclosure, usable solely for parking or vehicles, building
access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not
considered a building's lowest floor; provided that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in viola-
tion of the applicable non -elevation design requirement of
Section 60.3 of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations.
MANUFACTURED HOME - means a structure transportable in one or
more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is
designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when
connected to the required utilities. For flood plain manage-
ment purposes the term "manufactured home" also includes park
trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles placed on
a site for greater than 180 consecutive days. For insurance
purposes the term "manufactured home" does not include park
trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles.
MEAN SEA LEVEL - means, for purposes of the National Flood
Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD)
of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on
a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced.
NEW CONSTRUCTION - means, for flood plain management purposes,
structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on
or after the effective date of a flood plain management
regulation adopted by a community.
START OF CONSTRUCTION - (for other than new construction or
substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources
Act (Pub. L. 97-348)), includes substantial improvement and
means the date the building permit was issued, provided the
actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement,
or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date.
The actual start means either the first placement of permanent
construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of
slab or footings, the installation of piles, the 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 clear-
ing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation
of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for
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.
STRUCTURE - means a walled and roofed building, including a gas
or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as
well as a manufactured home.
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SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT - means any reapir, reconstruction, or
improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds
50% 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 purpose 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 either (1) any project for improvement of a structure
to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or
safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure
safe living conditions, or (2) any alteration of a structure
listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State
Inventory of Historic Places.
VARIANCE - is a grant of relief to a person from the requirements
of this ordinance when specific enforcement would result in
unnecessary hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construc-
tion or development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this
ordinance. (For full requirements see Section 60.6 of the
National Flood Insurance Program regulations.)
VIOLATION - means the failure of a structure or other develop-
ment to be fully compliant with the community's flood plain
management regulations. A structure or other development
without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or
other evidence of compliance required in Section 60.3 (b)(5),
(c) (4) , (c) (10) , (d)(3), (e) (2) , (e)(4), or (e) (5) is presumed
to be in violation until such time as that documentation is
provided.
WATER SURFACE ELEVATION - means the height, in relation to the
i� National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 (or other
j datum, where specified), of floods of various magnitudes and
frequencies in the flood plains of coastal or riverine areas.
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES
The ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard
within the jurisdiction of the City of Stephenville.
SECTION B. BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS
OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering
report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study for the City of
Stephenville", dated July, 1977, with accompanying Flood
Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps (FIRM and
FBFM) and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference
and declared to be a part of this ordinance.
SECTION C. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
A Development Permit shall be required to ensure conformance
with the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION D. COMPLIANCE
No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or
have its use changed without full compliance with the terms of
this ordinance and other applicable regulations.
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SECTION E. ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS
This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair
any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions.
However, where this ordinance and another conflict or overlap,
whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
SECTION F. INTERPRETATION
In the interpretation and application of this ordinance, all
provisions shall be; (1) considered as minimum requirements;
(2) liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and (3)
deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted
under State statutes.
SECTION G. WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OR LIABILITY
The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is
considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on
scientific and engineering considerations. On rare occasions
greater floods can and will occur and flood heights may be
increased by man-made or natural causes. This ordinance does
not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards
or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding
or flood damages. This ordinance shall not create liability on
the part of the community or any official or employee thereof
for any flood damages that result from reliance on this
ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
ARTICLE 4
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION A. DESIGNATION OF THE FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
The City Administrator of the City of Stephenville is hereby
appointed the Floodplain Administrator to administer and
implement the provisions of this ordinance and other appropriate
sections of 44 CFR (National Flood Insurance Program Regulations)
pertaining to flood plain management.
SECTION B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
Duties and responsibilities of the Floodplain Administrator
shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Maintain and hold open for public inspection all
records pertaining to the provisions of this ordinance.
(2) Review permit application to determine whether
proposed building site will be reasonably safe from flooding.
(3) Review, approve or deny all applications for develop-
ment permits required by adoption of this ordinance.
(4) Review permits for proposed development to assure
that all necessary permits have been obtained from those
Federal, State or local governmental agencies (including
Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972, 33 U.S.C. 1334) from which prior approval
is required.
(5) Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location
of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for
example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped
boundary and actual field conditions) the Floodplain Administrator
shall make the necessary interpretation.
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(6) Notify, in riverine situations, adjacent communities
and the State Coordinating Agency which is the Texas Water
Commission, prior to any alteration or relocation of a water-
course, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
(7) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the
altered or relocated portion of any watercourse is maintained.
(8) When base flood elevation data has not been provided
i in accordance with Article 3, Section B, the Floodplain
Administrator shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any
base flood elevation data and floodway data available from a
Federal, State or other source, in order to administer the
provisions of Article 5.
(9) When a regulatory floodway has not been designated,
the Floodplain Administrator must require that no new construc-
tion, substantial improvements, or other development (including
fill) shall be permitted within Zones Al-30 and AE on the
community's FIRM, 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 community.
SECTION C. PERMIT PROCEDURES
(1) Application for a Development Permit shall be pre-
sented to the Floodplain Administrator on forms furnished by
him/her and may include, but not be limited to, plans in
duplicate drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and
elevation of proposed landscape alterations, existing and
proposed structures, and the location of the foregoing in
relation to areas of special flood hazard. Additionally, the
following information is required:
a. Elevation (in relation to mean sea level), of the
lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially
improved structures;
b. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any
nonresidential structure shall be floodproofed;
C. A certificate from a registered professional engineer
or architect that the nonresidential floodproofed structure
shall meet the floodproofing criteria of Article 5, Section
B(2);
d. Description of the extent to which any watercourse or
natural drainage will be altered or relocated as a result of
proposed development.
e. Maintain a record of all such information in accor-
dance with Article 4, Section (B)(1).
(2) Approval or denial of a Development Permit by the
Floodplain Administrator shall be based on all of the provi-
sions of this ordinance and the following relevant factors:
a. The danger to life and property due to flooding or
erosion damage;
b. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its
contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the
individual owner;
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C. The danger that materials may be swept onto other
lands to the injury of others;
d. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing
and anticipated development;
e. The safety of access to the property in times of flood
for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
f. The costs of providing governmental services during
and after flood conditions including maintenance and repair of
streets and bridges, and public utilities and facilities such
as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems;
g. 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;
h. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location,
where applicable;
i. The availability of alternative locations, not subject
to flooding or erosion damage, for the proposed use;
j. The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive
plan for that area.
SECTION D. VARIANCE PROCEDURES
(1) The Appeal Board as established by the community
shall hear and render judgment on requests for variances from
the requirements of this ordinance.
(2) The Appeal Board shall hear and render judgment on an
appeal only when it is alleged there is an error in any require-
ment, decision, or determination made by the Floodplain
Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this
ordinance.
(3) Any person or persons aggrieved by the decision of
the Appeal Board may appeal such decision in the courts of
competent jurisdiction.
(4) The Floodplain Administrator shall maintain a record
of all actions involving an appeal and shall report variances
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency upon request.
(5) 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 ordinance.
(6) Variances may be issued for new construction and
substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half
acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with
existing structures constructed below the base flood level,
providing the relevant factors in Section C(2) of the Article
have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond
the one-half acre, the technical justification required for
issuing the variance increases.
(7) Upon consideration of the factors noted above and the
intent of this ordinance, the Appeal Board may attach such
conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary
to further the purpose and objectives of this ordinance
(Article 1, Section C).
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(8) Variances shall not be issued within any designated
floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood
discharge would result.
(9) Prerequisites for granting variances:
(a) Variances shall only be issued upon a determina-
tion that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering
the flood hazard, to afford relief.
(b) Variances shall only be issued upon, (i) showing
a good and sufficient cause; (ii) a determination that
failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional
hardship to the applicant, and (iii) a determination that
the granting of a variance will not result in increased
flood heights, additional threats to public safety,
extraordinary public expenses, create nuisances, cause
fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with
existing local laws or ordinances.
(c) Any application to whom a variance is granted
shall be given written notice that the structure will be
permitted to be built with the lowest floor elevation
below the base flood elevation, and that the cost of flood
insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk
resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
(10) Variances may be issued by a community for new
construction and substantial improvements and for other develop-
ment necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use
provided that (i) the criteria outlined in Article 4, Section
D(1)-(9) are met, and (ii) the structure or other development
is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the
base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.
ARTICLE 5
PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
SECTION A. GENERAL STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards the following provisions
are required for all new construction and substantial improvements;
(1) All new construction or 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 effects of buoyancy;
(2) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed by methods and practices that minimize
flood damage;
(3) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage;
(4) All new construction or substantial improvements
shall be constructed with electrical, heating, ventilation,
plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service
facilities that are designed and/or located so as to prevent
water from entering or accumulating within the components
during conditions of flooding.
(5) All new and replacement water supply systems shall be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters
into the system;
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(6) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be
designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters
into the system and discharge from the systems into flood
waters; and,
(7) On -site waste disposal systems shall be located to
avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during
flooding.
SECTION B. SPECIFIC STANDARDS
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation
data has been provided as set forth in (i) Article 3, Section B
(ii) Article 4, Section b(8), or (iii) Article 5, Section C(4),
the following provisions are required:
(1) Residential Construction - new construction and
substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have
the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to one foot
above the base flood elevation. A registered professional
engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certifica-
tion to the Floodplain Administrator that the standard of this
subsection as proposed in Article 4, Section c(1)a., is satisfied.
(2) Nonresidential Construction - new construction and
substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial or other
nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor
(including basement) elevated to one foot above the base flood
level or, together with attendent utility and sanitary facil-
ities, be designed so that below the base flood level 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 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.
(3) Enclosures - new construction and substantial
improvements, with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor
that 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 registered
professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the
following minimum criteria:
(a) 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.
(b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher
than one foot above grade.
(c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers,
valves, or other coverings or devises provided that they
permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
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(4) Manufactured Homes
(a) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed
within Zone A, shall be installed using methods and
practices which minimize flood damage. For the purpose 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.
(b) All manufactured homes shall be in compliance
with Article 5, Section B(1).
(c) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed
or substantially improved within Zones Al-30, AH and AE on
the community's FIRM be elevated on a permanent foundation
such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is one
foot above the base flood elevation; and be securely
anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system in
accordance with the provision of Section B(4) of this
Article.
SECTION C. STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPO
(1) All subdivision proposals including manufactured home
parks and subdivisions shall be consistent with Article 1,
Sections B, C, and D of this ordinance.
(2) All proposals for the development of subdivisions
including manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall meet
Development Permit requirements of Article 3, Section C;
Article 4, Section C; and the provisions of Article 5 of this
71 ordinance.
(3) Base flood elevation data shall be generated for
subdivision proposals and other proposed development including
manufactured home parks and subdivisions which is greater than
30 lots or 3 acres, whichever is lesser, if not otherwise
provided pursuant to Article 3, Section B or Article 4, Section
B(8) of this ordinance.
(4) All subdivision proposals including manufactured home
parks and subdivisions shall have adequate drainage provided to
reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(5) All subdivision proposals including manufactured home
parks and subdivisions shall have public utilities and facil-
ities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems located
and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
SECTION D. STANDARDS FOR AREAS OF SHALLOW FLOODING (AO/AH ZONES
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in
Article 3, Section B, are areas designated as shallow flooding.
These areas have special flood hazards associated with base
flood depths of 1 to 3 feet where a clearly defined channel
Y does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable
and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is
characterized by ponding or sheet flow; therefore, the
following provisions apply:
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(1) All new construction and substantial improvements of
residential structures have the lowest floor (including
basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as
high as the depth number specified in feet on the community's
FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
(2) All new construction and substantial improvements of
nonresidential structures;
(i) have the lowest floor (including basement)
elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high
as the depth number specified in fee on the community's
FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified),
or;
(ii) together with attendant utility and sanitary
facilities be designed so that below the base flood level
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 of effects of buoyancy.
(3) A registered professional engineer or architect shall
submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the
standards of this Section, as proposed in Article 4, Section
C(1)a, are satisfied.
(4) Require within Zones
around structures on slopes, to
away from proposed structures.
SECTION E. FLOODWAYS
AH or AO adequate drainage paths
guide flood waters around and
Floodways - located within areas of special flood hazard
established in Article 3, Section B, are areas designated as
floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area
due to the velocity of flood waters which carry debris,
potential projectiles and erosion potential, the following
provisions shall apply:
(1) Encroachments are prohibited, including fill, new
construction, substantial improvements and other development
unless certification by a professional registered engineer or
ar�ect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall
not result in any increase in flood levels within the community
during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(2) If Article 5, Section E(1) above is satisfied, all
new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with
all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Article 5.
SECTION F. STOP WORK ORDERS
Upon notice from the Floodplain Administrator that work on any
building, structure, dike, bridge, or any improvement which
would affect water drainage, is being done contrary to the
provisions of this regulation, or in a dangerous or unsafe
manner, such work shall be immediately stopped. Such notice
shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the
property or to his agent, or to the person doing the work, and
shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed.
Where any emergency exists, no written notice shall be required
to be given by the Floodplain Administrator, provided, written
notice shall follow within twenty-four (24) hour _m the time
oral notice to stop work is issued.
-12-
60.3(d)
Revised as of October 1, 1986
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE
OUTLINE
Cross
Ref.
NFIP
Page
Regulations
ARTICLE 1
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION,
n
FINDINGS OF FACT, PURPOSE
AND METHODS . . . . . . .
. . 1
SECTION
A
Statutory Authorization .
. . 1
SECTION
B
Findings of Fact . . . . .
. . 1
SECTION
C
Statement of Purpose .
. . 1
SECTION
D
Methods of Reducing Flood
Losses . . . . . . . .
. . 2
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS . . . . . . .
. . 2
59.1
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL PROVISIONS . . . .
. . 5
60.(d)(1)
SECTION A Lands to Which This
Ordinance Applies . . . . .
5
60.3(d)
SECTION
B
Basis for Establishing the
Areas of Special Flood
Hazard . . . . . . . . . .
5
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
C
Establishment of Development
Permit . . . . . . . . . .
5
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
D
Compliance . . . . . . . .
5
SECTION
E
Abrogation and Greater
Restrictions . . . . . . .
6
SECTION
F
Interpretation . . . .
6
SECTION
G
Warning and Disclaimer of
Liability . . . . . . . . .
6
ARTICLE 4
ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . .
6
SECTION A Designation of the Floodplain
Administrator . . . . . 6 60.3(d)(1)
SECTION B Duties and Responsibilities of
the Floodplain Administrator 6 60.3(d)(1)
SECTION C Permit Procedures . . . . . . 7 60.3(d)(1)
SECTION D Variance Procedures . . . . . 7 60.6(a)
ARTICLE G PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD
REDUCTION . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION
A
General Standards . . . . .
. 9
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
B
Specific Standards . . . . .
. 9
60.3(d)(1)
1.
Residential Construction . .
. 9
60.3(d)(1)
2.
Nonresidential Construction
9
60.3(d)(1)
3.
Enclosures . . . . . . . . .
. 9
60.3(d)(1)
4.
Manufactured Homes . . . . .
. 10
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
C
Standards for Subdivision
Proposals . . . . . . . .
. 11
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
D
Standards for Areas of
Shallow Flooding
(AO/AH Zones) . . . . . .
. 11
60.3(d)(1)
SECTION
E
Floodways . . . . . . .
. 12
60.3(d)(1-3)
SECTION
F
Stop Work Orders . . . . . .
. 12
SECTION
G
Provision for Penalty . . .
. 13
ARTICLE 6
REPEAL OF PRIOR ORDINANCE .
. 13
Certification . . . . . . . . 13
J
SECTION G. PROVISION FOR PENALTY
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this
ordinance or fail to comply therewith or with any of the
requirements thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall
be liable to a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00)
and each day any such violation shall be permitted to exist
shall constitute a separate offense. In case any building or
structure is erected, constructed, altered, repaired, converted
or maintained, or any building, structure or land is used in
violation of this ordinance, the appropriate authorities of the
City, in addition to other remedies, may institute appropriate
action or proceeding to prevent such unlawful erection, construc-
tion, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or
use to correct or abate such violation or prevent the occupancy
of such building, structure or land.
ARTICLE 6
REPEAL OF PRIOR ORDINANCE
This ordinance repeals in its entirety Chapter 9 1/2 of the
Code of Ordinances of the City of Stephenville.
CERTIFICATION
It is hereby found and declared by the City of Stephenville
that severe flooding has occurred in the past within its
jurisdiction and will certainly occur within the future; that
flooding is likely to result in infliction of serious personal
injury or death, and is likely to result in substantial injury
or destruction of property within its jurisdiction; in order to
effectively comply with minimum standards for coverage under
the National Flood Insurance Program; and in order to effec-
tively remedy the situation described herein, it is necessary
that this ordinance become effective immediately.
Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this
ordinance, being necessary for the immediate preservation of
the public peace, health and safety, shall be in full force and
effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED and APPROVED this 5-14 day of )'lr) u.y , 1987.
Mayoro
ATTEST:
City Secretary