Local Laws and Ordinances

Incorporated Village of Shoreham

Local Law 83-1

Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

Section 5

Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction

5.1 General Standards

In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required:

5.1.1 Anchoring

  1. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure.

5.1.2 Construction Materials and Methods

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

  2. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage.

5.1.3 Utilities

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

  2. New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharge from the systems into flood waters; and,

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

5.1.4 Subdivision Proposals

  1. All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

  2. All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage;

  3. All subdivision proposals shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood damage; and,

  4. Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed development which contain at least 50 lots or 5 acres (whichever is less).

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, the following standards are required:

5.2.1 Residential Construction

New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above base flood elevation.

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 to the level of the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, shall:

  1. be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;

  2. have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and

  3. be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in Section 4.3.

5.3 Coastal High Hazard Area

Coastal high hazard areas (V Zones) are located within the areas of special flood hazard established in Section 3.2. These areas have special flood hazards associated with high velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave wash; therefore, the following provisions shall apply:

5.3.1 Location of Structures

  1. All buildings or structures shall be located landward of reach of the mean high tide.

  2. The placement of mobile homes shall be prohibited, except in an existing mobile home park or mobile home subdivision.

5.3.2 Construction Methods

  1. Elevation: All buildings or structures shall be elevated so that the lowest supporting member is located no lower than the base flood elevation level, with all space below the lowest supporting member open so as not to impede the flow of water, except for breakaway walls as provided in Section 5.3.2(4).

  2. Structural Support

    1. All buildings or structures shall be securely anchored on pilings or columns.

    2. Pilings or columns used as structural support shall be designed and anchored so as to withstand all applied loads of the base flood flow.

    3. There shall be no fill used for structural support.

  3. Certification: Compliance with the provisions of Section 5.3.2(1) and 5.3.2(i) & (ii) shall be certified to by a registered professional engineer or architect.

  4. Space Below the Lowest Floor

    1. Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvement to a structure started after the enactment of this ordinance shall not enclose the space below the lowest floor unless breakaway walls are used as provided for in this section.

    2. Breakaway walls shall be allowed below the base flood elevation provided they are not a part of the structural support of the building and are designed so as to breakaway, under abnormally high tides or wave action, without damage to the structural integrity of the building on which they are to be used.

    3. If breakaway walls are utilized, such enclosed space shall not be used for human habitation.

    4. Prior to construction, plans for any structure that will have breakaway walls must be submitted to the Building Inspector for approval.

5.3.3 Sand Dunes

There shall be no alteration of sand dunes which would increase potential flood damage.

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