HomeMy WebLinkAbout2161 Flood Damage PreventionO IN ¢E NO.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOOD DAMAGE
PREVENTION; ADDING NEW SECTIONS TO THE PORT TOWNSEND
MUNICIPAL CODE; AND REPEALING SECTION 3 OF ORDINANCE
1911, SUBSECTION 5.2.4 OF ORDINANCE 1908 AND CHAPTER
16.08 OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE.
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend, in regular session
assembled, do ordain as follows:
Section 1.
STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF
FACT, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES
1.1
StatutOrY Authorization
The Legislature of the State of Washington has in RCW 86-16, as
amended, delegated the responsibility to local governmental units
to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety,
and general welfare of its citizenry.
1.2
Findings of Fact
The flood hazard areas of Port Townsend 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.
o
These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of
obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase
flood heights and velocities, and when inadequately anchored,
damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately
floodproofed, elevated, or otherwise protected from flood
damage also contribute to the flood loss.
1.3
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:
1. To protect human life and health;
To minimize expenditure of public money and costly flood
control projects;
To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated
with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the
general public;
4. To minimize prolonged business interruptions;
To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as
water and gas mains, electric telephone and sewer lines,
streets, and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard;
To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound
use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to
minimize future flood blight areas;
To ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is
in an area of special flood hazard; and,
To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood
hazard assume responsibility for their actions.
1.4
Methods of Reducing Flood Losses
In order to accomplish its purposes, this ordinance includes
methods and provisions for:
Restricting or prohibiting 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;
0
Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities
which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at
the time of initial construction;
Controlling the alteration of natural flood plains, stream
channels, and natural protective barriers which help
accommodate or channel flood waters;
e
Controlling filling, grading, and other development which may
increase flood damage; and
Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers
which will unnaturally divert flood waters or may increase
flood hazards in other areas.
Section 2.
DEFINITIONS
-2-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this
ordinance shall be interpreted so as 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 Building Department
interpretation of any provision of this ordinance or a request for
a variance.
"AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING" means a designated AO or AH Zone on the
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from
one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does not exist; the
path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and, velocity
flow may be evident. AO is characterized as sheet flow and AH
indicates ponding.
"AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD" means the land in the flood plain
within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of
flooding in any given year. Designation on maps always includes
the letter A or V.
"BREAKAWAY WALL" means a wall that is not a 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
supporting foundation system.
"COASTAL HIGH HAZARDAREA" means the area subject to high velocity
waters, including but not limited to, storm surge or tsunamis.
The area is designated on the FIRM as Zone Vl-V30, VE or V.
"CRITICAL FACILITY" means a facility for which even a slight
chance of flooding might be to great. Critical facilities include,
but are not limited to schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police,
fire and emergency response installations, installations which
produce, use, or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.
"DEVELOPMENT" means any man-made change to improved or unimproved
real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other
structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation
or drilling operations located within the area of special flood
hazard.
"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 and/or
The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters
from any source.
-3-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
"FLOOD INSURANCE RATE.MAP ~FIRM%" means the official map on which
the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas
of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to
the community.
"FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY" means the official report provided by the
Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the
Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the
base flood.
"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.
"LOWEST FLOOR" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area
(including the basement). An unfinished or floor resistant
enclosure, usable solely for parking of 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 violation of the
applicable non-elevation design requirements of this ordinance
found at Section 5.2-1(2).
"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 management 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.
"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.
"NEW CONSTRUCTION,' means structures for which the "start of
construction" commenced on or after the effective date of this
ordinance.
"START OF CONSTRUCTION" includes substantial improvement, and means
the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start
of constructionf 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
-4-
(Port ?o~nsend, 7/89)
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 street and/or walkways; nor does it
include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundation
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.
"SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT" means any repair, reconstruction, or
improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50
percent of the market value of the structure either.
1. before the improvement or repair is started, or
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 either:
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
any alteration of a struCture listed on the National Register
of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
"VARIANCES" means a grant of relief from the requirements of this
ordinance which permits construction in a manner that would
otherwise be prohibited by this ordinance.
"WATER DEPENDENT" means a structure for commerce or industry which
cannot exist in any other location and is dependent on the water
by reason of the intrinsic nature of its operations.
Section 3.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
-5-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
3.1
Lands to Which This Ordinance Applies
This ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards
within the jurisdiction of the City of Port Townsend.
3.2
Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal
Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report
entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for the City of Port Townsend
dated September 15, 1981 with accompanying Flood Insurance Maps is
hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this
ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study is on file at City hall, 540
Water Street.
3.3
Penalties for Noncompliance
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located,
extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the
terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.
Violation of the provisions of this ordinance by failure to comply
with any of its requirements shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any
person who violates this ordinance or fails to comply with any of
its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more
than $100 or imprisoned for not more than 10 days, or both, for
each violation, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses
involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the
City of Port Townsend from taking such other lawful action as is
necessary to prevent or remedy any violations,
3.4
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 ordinance, easement, covenant, or
deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more
stringent restrictions shall prevail.
3.5
Interpretations
In the interpretation and application of this ordinance, all
provisions shall be:
1. Considered as minimum requirements;
-6-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and,
Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted
under State statutes.
3.6
warning and Disclaimer of Liability
The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is
considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on
scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and
will occur on rare occasions. 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 City
of Port Townsend, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal
Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that result from
reliance on this ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully
made hereunder.
Section 4
ADMINISTRATION
4.1-1
DeveLopment Permit Required
A development permit shall be obtained before construction or
development begins within any area of special flood hazard
established in Section 3.2. The permit shall be for all structures
including manufactured homes, as set forth in the "DEFINITIONS",
and for all development including fill and other activities, also
as set forth in the "DEFINITIONS".
4.1-2
Application for Development Permit
Application for a development permit shall be made on forms
furnished by the Building department and may include but not be
limited to; 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:
Elevation in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest floor
(including basement) of all structures;
2. Elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure
-7-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
has been floodproofed;
Certification by a registered professional engineer or
architect that the flood proofing methods for any
nonresidential structure meet the floodproofing criteria in
Section 5.2-2; and
Description of the extent to which a watercourse will be
altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.
4.2
Designation of the Responsible official
The Building Official is hereby designated to administer and
implement this ordinance by granting or denying development permit
applications in accordance with its provisions.
4.3
Duties and Responsibilities of the .Building Official
Duties of the Building Official shall include, but not be limited
to:
4.3-1
permit Review
Review all development permits to determine that the permit
requirements of this ordinance have been satisfied.
Review all development permits to determine that all necessary
permits have been obtained from those Federal, State, or local
governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed
development is located in the floodway. If located in the
floodway, assure that the provisions of Section 5.3 are met.
4.3-2
Use of Other Base Flood Data
When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance
with Section 3.2, BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD
HAZARD, the Building Official 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 Sections
5.2, SPECIFIC STANDARDS, and 5.3 FLOODWAYS.
4.3-3
Information to be Obtained and Maintained
-8-
(Port ToWnsend, 7/89)
Where base flood elevation data is provided through the Flood
Insurance Study or required as in Section 4.3-2, obtain and
record the actual (as-built) elevation (in relation to mean
sea level) of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new
or substantially improved structures, and whether or not the
structure contains a basement.
2. For all new or substantially improved floodproofed structures:
(i)
verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to
mean sea level, and
(ii) maintain the floodproofing certifications required in
Section 4.1(3).
Maintain for public inspection all records pertainina to the
provisions of this ordinance.
4.3-4
Alteration of Watercourses
Notify adjacent communities and the Washington State
Department of Ecology prior to any alteration or relocation
of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to
the Federal Insurance Administration.
Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or
relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood
carrying capacity is not diminished.
4.3-5
InterPretation of FIRM Boundaries
Make interpretations where needed, as to 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 person contesting the location of
the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the
interpretation. Such appeals shall be granted consistent with the
standards of Section 60.6 of rules and regulations of the National
Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR 59-76).
Section 5.
PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
5.1
General Standards
-9-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
In all areas of special flood hazards, the following standards are
required.
5.1-1
Anchoring
Ail new construction and substantial improvements shall be
anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement
of the structure.
e
Ail manufactured homes must likewise be anchored to prevent
flotation, collapse or lateral movement, and shall be
installed using methods and practices that minimize flood
damage. Anchoring methods may include, but are not limited
to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors
(Reference FEMA's "Manufactured Home Installation in Flood
Hazard Areas" guidebook for additional techniques).
5.1-2
construction Materials and Methods
Ail new construction and substantial improvements shall be
constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to
flood damage.
Ail new construction and substantial improvements shall be
constructed using methods and praCtices that minimize flood
damage.
Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air-
conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be
designed and/or otherwise elevated or located so as to prevent
water from entering or accumulating within the components
during conditions of flooding.
5.1-3
Utilities
1. Ail new and replacement water SuDDlv systems shall be desianed
to min~mlze or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the
system;
New and replacement sanitary sewaae systems shall be d~sioned
to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the
systems and discharoe from the systems into flood waters: and.
on-site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid
impairment to them or contamination from them durino floodino.
5.1-4
-10-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
Subdivision Proposals
Ail subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need
to minimize flood damage;
Ail subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and
facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems
located and constructed to minimize flood damage;
Ail subdivision proposals Shall have adequate drainage
provided to reduce exposure to flood damage; and,
Where base flood elevation data has not been provided or is
not available from another authoritative source, it shall be
generated for subdivision proposals and other proposed
developments which contain at least 50 lots or 5 acres
(whichever is less).
5.1-5
Review of Building .Permits
Where elevation data is not available either through the Flood
Insurance Study of from another authoritative source (Section 4.3-
2), applications for building permits shall be reviewed to assure
that proposed construction will be reasonably safe from flooding.
The test of reasonableness is a local judgment and includes use of
historical data, high water marks, photographs of past flooding,
etc., where available. Failure to elevate at least two feet above
grade in these zones may result in higher insurance rates.
5.2
Specific Standards
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation
data has been provided as set forth in Section 3.2, BASIS FOR
ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD or Subsection 4.3-
2, Use of Other Base Flood Data, the following provisions are
required:
5.2-1
Residential Construction
New construction and substantial improvement of any
residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including
basement, elevated one foot or more above base flood
elevation.
Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject
to flooding are prohibited, or shall be designed to
automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior
-11-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
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 must
meet or exceed the following minimum criteria;
(i)
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.
(ii) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one
foot above grade.
(iii.)
Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or
other coverings or devices provided that they permit
the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
5.2-2
Nonresidential Construction
New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial,
industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the
lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot or more above
the level of the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant
utility and sanitary facilities, shall:
be floodproofed so that below one foot above the base flood
level the structure is watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water.
have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic
and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy;
be certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect that the design and methods of construction are in
accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting
provisions of this subsection based on their development
and/or review of the structural design, specifications and
plans. Such certifications shall be provided to the official
as set forth in Section 4.3-3(2)
Nonresidential structures that are elevated, not floodproofed,
must meet the same standards for space below the lowest floor
as described in 5.2-1(2).
Se
Applicants .floodDroofina nonresidential buildinas shall be
notified that flood insurance premiums will be based on rates
that are one foot below the floodDroofed level (e.a. a
buildina floodDroofed to one foot above the base flood level
will be rated as at the base flood level).
-12-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
5.2-3
Critical Facility
Construction of new critical facilities shall be, to the extent
possible, located outside the limits of the base flood plain.
Construction of new critical facilities shall be permissible within
the base flood plain if no feasible alternative site is available.
Critical facilities constructed within the base flood plain shall
have the lowest floor elevated to three feet or more above the
level of the base flood elevation at the site. Floodproofing and
sealing measures must be taken to ensure that toxic substances will
not be displaced by or released into flood waters. Access routes
elevated to or above the level of the base flood plain shall be
provided to all critical facilities to the extent possible.
5.2-4
Manufactured Homes
Ail manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved
within Zones Al-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM shall be
elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of
the manufactured home is one foot or more above the Base Flood
Elevation; and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored
foundation system in accordance with the provisions of section 5.1-
1(2). This paragraph applies to manufactured homes to be placed
or substantially improved in an expansion to an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision. This paragraph does not
apply to manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved
in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision except where
the repair, reconstruction, 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 has commenced.
5.3
Floodways
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section
3.2 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 apply.
Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction,
substantial improvements, and other development unless
certification by a registered professional engineer or
architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall
not result in any increase in flood levels during the
occurrence of the base flood discharge.
-13-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
Construction. or reconstruction of residential structures is
prohibited within designated floodways, except for (i)
repairs, reconstruction, or improvements to a structure which
do not increase the ground floor area; and (ii) repairs,
reconstruction or improvements to a structure, the cost of
which does not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
structure either, (A) before the repair, reconstruction, or
repair is started, or (B) if the structure has been damaged,
and is being restored, before the damage occurred. Work done
on structures to comply with existing health, sanitary, or
safety codes or to structures identified as historic places
shall not be included in the 50 percent.
If SectiOn 5.3(1) is satisfied, all new cOnstruction and
substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable
flood hazard reduction provisions of Section 5.0, PROVISIONS
FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION.
5.4
Wetlands Management
To the maximum extent possible avoid the short and long term
adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification of
wetlands, especially those activities which limit or disrupt the
ability of the wetland to alleviate flooding impacts. The
following process should be implemented:
Review proposals for development within base flood plains for
their possible impacts on wetlands located within the flood
plain.
Ensure that development activities in or around wetlands do
not negatively affect public safety, health, and welfare by
disrupting the wetlands' ability to reduce flood and storm
drainage.
Request technical assistance from the Department of Ecology
in identifying wetland areas. Existing wetland map
information from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) can be
used in conjunction with the community's FIRM to prepare an
overlay zone indicating critical wetland areas deserving
special attention.
5.5
Encroachments
The cumulatiVe effect of any proposed development, where combined
-14-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
with all other existing and anticipated development, shall not
increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than
one foot at any point.
5.6
Standards for Shallow Flooding Areas (AO ZONES)
Shallow flooding areas appear on FIRM's as AO zones with depth
designations. The base flood depths in these zones range from 1
to 3 feet above ground where a clearly defined channel does not
exist, or where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where
velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is usually
characterized as sheet flow. In these areas, the following
provisions apply:
New construction and substantial improvements of residential
structures within AO zones shall have the lowest floor
(including basement) elevated above the highest grade adjacent
to the building, one foot or more above the depth number
specified on the FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number
is specified).
New Construction and substantial improvements
nonresidential structures within AO zones shall either:
of
(±)
have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above
the highest adjacent grade of the building site, one foot
or more above the depth number specified on the FIRM (at
least two feet if no depth number is specified); or
(ii) together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities,
be completely floodproofed to or 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. If this method is used, compliance shall
be certified by a registered professional engineer or
architect as in section 5.2-2(3).
Require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes
to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
5.7
coastal High Hazard Areas
Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section
3.2 are Coastal High Hazard Areas, designated as Zones Vi-V30, VE
and/or V. These areas have special flood hazards associated with
high velocity waters from surges and, therefore, in addition to
-15-
(port Townsend, 7/89)
meeting all provisions in this ordinance, the following provisions
shall also apply:
Ail new allowable construction and substantial improvements
in Zones V1-V30 and VE (V if base flood elevation data is
available) shall be elevated on pilings and columns so that:
(i)
the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of
the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is
elevated one foot or more above the base flood level; and
(ii) The pile or column foundation and structure attached
thereto is anchored to resist flotation, collapse and
lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water
loads acting simultaneously on all building components.
Wind and water loading values shall each have a one
percent chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given
year (100-year mean recurrence interval);
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 the provisions of (i) and
(ii) of this Section.
Obtain the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the
bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor
(excluding pilings and columns) of all new and substantially
improved structures in Zones V1-30 and VE, and whether or not
such structures contain a basement. The local administrator
shall maintain a record of all such information.
Ail new construction shall be located landward of the reach
of mean high tide.
e
Provide that all new construction and substantial improvements
have the space below the lowest floor either free of
obstruction or constructed with non-supporting breakaway
walls, open wood lattice-work, or insect screening intended
to collapse under wind and water loads without causing
collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the
elevated portion of the building 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 local or State codes) may be permitted only if a
registered professional engineer or architect certifies that
-16-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
e
the designs proposed meet the following conditions:
(i)
Breakaway wall collapse shall result from a water load
less than that which would occur during the base flood;
and
(ii) The elevated portion of the building and supporting
foundation system shall not be subject to collapse,
displacement, or other structural damage due to the
effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on
all building components (structural and nonstructural).
Maximum wind and water loading values to be used in this
determination shall each have a one percent chance of
being equalled or exceeded in any given year (100-year
mean recurrence interval).
If breakaway walls are utilized, such enclosed space shall be
useable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or
storage. Such space shall not be used for human habitation.
Prohibit the use of fill for structural support of buildings.
Prohibit man-made alteration of sand dunes which would
increase potential flood damage.
Section 6.
REPEALS
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Ordinance 1908. as amended bY Section 1 of Ordinance 1911. Section
2 of Ordinance 1911. Section 3 of Ordinance 1911, Section 1 of
Ordinance 1927A. Section 2 Ordinance 1927A and Section 3 of
Ordinance 1927A toaether with Chapter 16.08 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code are each hereby repealed.
Section
SEVERABILITY
In the event any one or more of the provisions of this ordinance
shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall
not affect or invalidate any other provision of this ordinance, but
thiS ordinance shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid
provision had not been contained therein; provided, that any
provision which shall for any reason be held by reason of its
extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent
permitted by law.
-17-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)
Section ~. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall become effective five days after its passage
and publication.
Read for the first time on O~l.~ ~ and for the
second and third time times and passed bY the City Council of the
City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof,
held this [~ day of 0~ , 19 ~ .
Brent S. Shirley, Mayor
David A. ~rove,~ity Cle~
Approved as to form:
Kei~h C. Harper, City Attorney
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added.text
-18-
(Port Townsend, 7/89)