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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12022004 BSC Agenda Item 6 60.3(d) FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION ORDINANCE ARTICLE I STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION,FINDINGS OF FACT,PURPOSE AND METHODS SECTION A. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION The Legislature of the State of{State} has in {list applicable state statute(s)} delegated the responsibility of local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Therefore, the {governing body} of {community name}, {state}, does ordain as follows: SECTION B. FINDINGS OF FACT (1) The flood hazard areas of{community name} 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 hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods and hazardous to other lands because they are inadequately elevated, floodproofed 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. 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 excessive 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 development 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. 2 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. ALLUVIAL FAN FLOODING - means flooding occurring on the surface of an alluvial fan or similar landform which originates at the apex and is characterized by high-velocity flows; active processes of erosion, sediment transport, and deposition; and unpredictable flow paths. APEX - means a point on an alluvial fan or similar landform below which the flow path of the major stream that formed the fan becomes unpredictable and alluvial fan flooding can occur. APPURTENANT STRUCTURE - means a structure which is on the same parcel of property as the principal structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure AREA OF FUTURE CONDITIONS FLOOD HAZARD - means the land area that would be inundated by the 1-percent-annual chance (100 year) flood based on future conditions hydrology. AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING - means a designated AO, AH, AR/AO, AR/AH, or VO zone on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a 1 percent or greater annual chance of flooding to an average depth of 1 to 3 feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable 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 1 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 rate making has been completed in preparation for publication of the FIRM, Zone A usually is refined into Zones A, AO, AH, A1-30, AE, A99, AR, AR/A1-30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, VO, V1-30, VE or V. BASE FLOOD - means the flood having a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. 3 BASEMENT - means any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides. BREAKAWAY WALL - means a wall that is not 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. 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 to improved and unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. ELEVATED BUILDING - means, for insurance purposes, a non-basement building, which has its lowest elevated floor, raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns. EXISTING CONSTRUCTION - means for the purposes of determining rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced 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." EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION - means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community. EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION - means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads). FLOOD OR FLOODING - means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from: 4 (1) the overflow of inland or tidal waters. (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source. FLOOD ELEVATION STUDY - means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation and determination of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) and/or flood-related erosion hazards. FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) - means an official map of a community, on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS) - see Flood Elevation Study FLOODPLAIN OR FLOOD-PRONE AREA - means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition of flooding). FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT - means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works and floodplain management regulations. FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS - means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as a floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance and erosion control ordinance) and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction. 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 area 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. FLOOD PROOFING - means any combination of structural and non-structural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate 5 flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents. FLOODWAY - see Regulatory Floodway 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. HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE - means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. HISTORIC STRUCTURE - means any structure that is: (1) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; (2) Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; (3) Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or (4) Individually listed on a local inventory or historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either: (a) By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or; (b) Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs. LEVEE - means a man-made structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to 6 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 violation 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. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle". 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. 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 the purpose of determining insurance rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. For floodplain management purposes, "new construction" means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION - means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of 7 streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by a community. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - means a vehicle which is (i) built on a single chassis; (ii) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections; (iii) designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and (iv) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use. 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 cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height. RIVERINE - means relating to, formed by, or resembling a river (including tributaries), stream, brook, etc. SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA - see Area of Special Flood Hazard 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, rehabilitation, addition 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 clearing, 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. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building. STRUCTURE - means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. 8 SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE - means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT - means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial damage", regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either: (1) Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions or (2) Any alteration of a "historic structure", provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure." VARIANCE - means a grant of relief by a community from the terms of a floodplain management regulation. (For full requirements see Section 60.6 of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations.) VIOLATION - means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community's floodplain 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 National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 (or other datum, where specified), of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas. 9 ARTICLE 3 GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES The ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard with the jurisdiction of{local community}. SECTION B. BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD NOTE: COMMUNITY MUST CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS TO ADOPT DEPENDING ON LEGAL AUTHORITY IF THERE IS A LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR THE AUTOMATIC ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF FIS AND FIRM AND/OR FBFM, THE COMMUNITY MUST ADOPT THE FOLLOWING PROVISION: The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the current scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for {from the FIS Title)," dated {date of latest FIS and/or Index Panel}, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and/or Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps (FIRM and/or FBFM) dated {date of latest FIRM and/or FBFM}. and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance. OR, IF THERE IS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR AUTOMATIC ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF FIS AND FIRM AND/OR FBFM, THE COMMUNITY MUST ADOPT THE FOLLOWING PROVISION: The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the current scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study for {from the FIS Title}," dated {date of latest FIS and/or Index Panel}, with the most effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps and/or Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps (FIRM and/or FBFM) dated {date of latest FIRM and/or FBFM}. SECTION C. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT A Floodplain Development Permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this ordinance. 10 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. 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 ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction 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 hereunder. 11 ARTICLE 4 ADMINISTRATION SECTION A. DESIGNATION OF THE FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR The Mist position or title of the appointed Floodplain Administrator - i.e., Code Enforcement Officer} is hereby appointed the Floodplain Administrator to administer and implement the provisions of this ordinance and other appropriate sections of 44 CFR (Emergency Management and Assistance - National Flood Insurance Program Regulations) pertaining to floodplain management. SECTION B. DUTIES & 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 to ensure that the proposed building site project, including the placement of manufactured homes, will be reasonably safe from flooding. (3) Review, approve or deny all applications for development 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. (6) Notify, in riverine situations, adjacent communities and the State Coordinating Agency which is {list the name of the State NFIP Coordinating 12 Agency}, prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, 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 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 construction, substantial improvements, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 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. (10) Under the provisions of 44 CFR Chapter 1, Section 65.12, of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations, a community may approve certain development in Zones A1-30, AE, AH, on the community's FIRM which increases the water surface elevation of the base flood by more than 1 foot, provided that the community first completes all of the provisions required by Section 65.12. SECTION C. PERMIT PROCEDURES (1) Application for a Floodplain Development Permit shall be presented 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, including the placement of manufactured homes, 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; 13 (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 accordance with Article 4, Section (B)(1); (2) Approval or denial of a Floodplain Development Permit by the Flooplain Administrator shall be based on all of the provisions 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; (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 floodwaters 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. 14 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 requirement, 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 1/2 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 this Article have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 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). (8) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result. (9) Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure. 15 [10) Prerequisites for granting variances: (a) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination 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 expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances. (c) Any application to which 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. (11) Variances may be issued by a community for new construction and substantial improvements and for other development 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. 16 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; (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 (3), the following provisions are required: 17 (1) Residential Construction - new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), elevated to or above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor shall submit a certification 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 or above the base flood level or 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 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 usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement and which 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 on separate walls having a total net area of not less than 1 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 1 foot above grade. (c) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters. 18 (4) Manufactured Homes - (a) Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within Zone A on a community's FHBM or FIRM shall be installed using methods and practices which minimize flood damage. For the purposes 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) Require that manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM on sites (i) outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision, (ii) in a new manufactured home park or subdivision, (iii) in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision, or (iv) in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as a result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to or above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. (c) Require that manufactured homes be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision with Zones A1-30, AH and AE on the community's FIRM that are not subject to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this section be elevated so that either: (i) the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above the base flood elevation, or (ii) the manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above grade and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. (5) Recreational Vehicles - Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM either (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or (ii) be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or (iii) meet the permit requirements of Article 4, Section C (1), and the elevation and anchoring requirements for "manufactured homes" in paragraph (4) of this section. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick 19 disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions. SECTION C. STANDARDS FOR SUBDIVISION PROPOSALS (1) All subdivision proposals including the placement of 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 the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall meet Floodplain Development Permit requirements of Article 3, Section C; Article 4, Section C; and the provisions of Article 5 of this ordinance. (3) Base flood elevation data shall be generated for subdivision proposals and other proposed development including the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions which is greater than 50 lots or 5 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 the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards. (5) All subdivision proposals including the placement of manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall have public utilities and facilities 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 flood depths of 1 to 3 feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, 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: (1) All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation or the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth 20 number specified in feet on the community's FIRM (at least 2 feet if no depth number is specified). (2) All new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential structures; (a) have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation or the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the community's FIRM (at least 2 feet if no depth number is specified), or (b) together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be designed so that below the base specified flood depth in an AO Zone, or below the Base Flood Elevation in an AH Zone, 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 are satisfied. (4) Require within Zones AH or AO adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes, to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures. SECTION E. FLOODWAYS 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 within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would 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. 21 (3) Under the provisions of 44 CFR Chapter 1, Section 65.12, of the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations, a community may permit encroachments within the adopted regulatory floodway that would result in an increase in base flood elevations, provided that the community first completes all of the provisions required by Section 65.12. SECTION F. SEVERABILITY If any section, clause, sentence, or phrase of this Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. SECTION G. PENALTIES FOR NON COMPLIANCE No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this court order and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions of this court order by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this court order or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $ or imprisoned for not more than or both, for each violation, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. 22 SECTION H. CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION APPROVED: (community official) PASSED: (adoption date) ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE: (effective date) I, the undersigned, {name of certifying official}, do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an ordinance duly adopted by the governing body}, at a regular meeting duly convened on {date}. {Signature of Certifying Official} {SEAL} 23 Higher Regulatory Standards The following list includes examples of more restrictive requirements that a community may adopt. Although not required, communities are encouraged to adopt more restrictive standards,which would provide additional protection to lives and properties. By adopting these or other higher regulatory standards, the community may qualify for participation in the Community Rating System (CRS). Please refer to CRS Publication (CRS Credit for Higher Regulatory Standards),which can be downloaded at http://www.fema.gov/nfip/crs.htm. Also, another reference on the No Adverse Impacts (NAI) components is the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and its web site http://www.floods.org. • Freeboard -Defined as a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level i.e.: require elevations to be 2 feet above base flood elevation (BFE) • Protection of critical facilities -Meet 500-year floodplain standards • Protection of floodplain storage capacity -Prohibit fill in the 100-year floodplain • Enclosure limits -Prohibit all enclosures or limit the enclosure area • Mandatory disclosure laws -Require notification that property is located in 100-year floodplain • More strict enforcement of building codes as it relates to the floodplain -As it relates to planning and zoning • Adoption of international building codes -More restrictive floodplain management standards • Zoning requirements -More restrictive floodplain management standards • Higher floodway standards -Designate 100-year floodplain as floodway • Elevation certificate requirement for all new development -Development in Zones B, C, and X • Lower substantial improvement threshold -More restrictive than the 50% minimum standard • Cumulative substantial improvement/substantial damage -Combination of multiple improvements/damage in reaching certain threshold • Regulate development in the B or shaded X Zones -Mandate 100-year standards in the 500-year floodplain • Adopt no adverse impact on any property from any flooding source -Refer to ASFPM website for NAI components • Enforce all Special Flood Hazard Areas as if they were floodways -Refer to "Higher Floodway Standards" above • Enhance Storm water management plan -Require detention of flood waters, etc. -Specifically prohibit diverting drainage onto neighboring properties -Adopt and enforce a subdivision regulation ordinance -Adopt and enforce a master drainage plan • Regulations for natural and beneficial functions -Restrictions on development in sensitive areas, i.e.: wetlands, riparian areas, shorelines, stream channels, banks, and habitats • Foundation Protection -Require site-specific construction standards • Land development criteria/Open space preservation -Prohibit/limit development in floodplains • Low Density Zoning -Limit development i.e.: no more than one building constructed per acre of floodplain • Allow no variances -Offer no relief to floodplain management standards • Incorporating state-mandated regulatory standards -More restrictive floodplain management standards • Other more restrictive or higher regulatory standards not listed above --0CY"4kv,i iii `?1 � � a,,,,, <3> ?_.?",4), FEMA FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM ELEVATION CERTIFICATE AND INSTRUCTIONS NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM ELEVATION CERTIFICATE PAPERWORK BURDEN DISCLOSURE NOTICE FEMA Form 81-31 The public reporting burden for this form is estimated to be 3.0 hours per response. The burden estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the needed data, and completing, reviewing, and submitting the form. You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless a valid OMB control number appears in the upper right corner of this form. Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collections Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472, Paperwork Reduction Project (3067-0077). NOTE: Please do not send your completed form to the above address. PURPOSE OF THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP). It is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances,to determine the proper insurance premium rate, and to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment or Revision(LOMA or LOMR-F). The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), for flood insurance Zones Al-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, VI-V30,V(with BFE),AR,ARIA,AR/AE,AR/A1-A30,AR/AH, and AR/AO. The Elevation Certificate is not required for pre-FIRM buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional post-FIRM flood insurance rules. As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in a community,the NFIP requires the community to adopt a floodplain management ordinance that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement is for the community to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved buildings and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for a community to comply with this requirement. Use of this certificate does not provide a waiver of the flood insurance purchase requirement. Only a LOMA or LOMR-F from the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) can amend the FIRM and remove the Federal mandate for a lending institution to require the purchase of flood insurance. However,the lending institution has the option of requiring flood insurance even if a LOMA/LOMR-F has been issued by FEMA. The Elevation Certificate may be used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F request. Lowest floor and lowest adjacent grade elevations certified by a surveyor or engineer will be required if the certificate is used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F request. This certificate is used only to certify building elevations. A separate certificate is required for floodproofing. Under the NFIP, non-residential buildings can be floodproofed up to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). A floodproofed building is a building that has been designed and constructed to be watertight (substantially impermeable to floodwaters) below the BFE. Floodproofing of residential buildings is not permitted under the NFIP unless FEMA has granted the community an exception for residential floodproofed basements. The community must adopt standards for design and construction of floodproofed basements before FEMA will grant a basement exception. For both floodproofed non- residential buildings and residential floodproofed basements in communities that have been granted an exception by FEMA,a floodproofing certificate is required. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY O.M.B. No 3067-0077 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Expires December 31, 2005 ELEVATION CERTIFICATE Important: Read the instructions on pages 1 -7. SECTION A-PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION For Insurance Company Use: BUILDING OWNER'S NAME Policy Number BUILDING STREET ADDRESS(Including Apt..Unit.Suite,and/or Bldg. No.)OR P.O. ROUTE AND BOX NO. Company NAIC Number CITY STATE ZIP CODE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION(Lot and Block Numbers,Tax Parcel Number,Legal Description,etc.) BUILDING USE(e.g.,Residential,Non-residential,Addition,Accessory,etc. Use a Comments area,if necessary.) LATITUDE/LONGITUDE(OPTIONAL) HORIZONTAL DATUM: SOURCE: LI GPS(Type): ( ##°-##'-##.##" or ##.##il##°) I I NAD 1927 I_I NAD 1983 I—I USGS Quad Map I_I Other SECTION B-FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP(FIRM) INFORMATION B1.NFIP COMMUNITY NAME&COMMUNITY NUMBER B2.COUNTY NAME B3.STATE B4.MAP AND PANEL B5.SUFFIX B6.FIRM INDEX B7.FIRM PANEL B8.FLOOD B9.BASE FLOOD ELEVATION(S) NUMBER DATE EFFECTIVE/REVISED DATE ZONE(S) (Zone AO,use depth of flooding) B10. Indicate the source of the Base Flood Elevation(BFE)data or base flood depth entered in B9. I I FIS Profile I_I FIRM I_I Community Determined I_I Other(Describe): B11. Indicate the elevation datum used for the BFE in B9: I I NGVD 1929 I_I NAVD 1988 I_I Other(Describe): B12. Is the building located in a Coastal Barrier Resources System(CBRS)area or Otherwise Protected Area(OPA)? I_I Yes I_I No Designation Date: SECTION C-BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION(SURVEY REQUIRED) Cl. Building elevations are based on: I_IConstruction Drawings* I_IBuilding Under Construction* I1 Finished Construction *A new Elevation Certificate will be required when construction of the building is complete. C2. Building Diagram Number (Select the building diagram most similar to the building for which this certificate is being completed-see pages 6 and 7. If no diagram accurately represents the building, provide a sketch or photograph.) C3. Elevations—Zones A1-A30,AE,AH,A(with BFE),VE,V1-V30,V(with BFE),AR,AR/A,AR/AE,AR/A1-A30,AR/AH,AR/AO Complete Items C3.a-i below according to the building diagram specified in Item C2. State the datum used. If the datum is different from the datum used for the BFE in Section B,convert the datum to that used for the BFE. Show field measurements and datum conversion calculation. Use the space provided or the Comments area of Section D or Section G, as appropriate,to document the datum conversion. Datum Conversion/Comments Elevation reference mark used Does the elevation reference mark used appear on the FIRM? I_I Yes I—I No ❑ a)Top of bottom floor(including basement or enclosure) _ft.(m) ❑ b)Top of next higher floor ft.(m) D ❑ c)Bottom of lowest horizontal structural member(V zones only) _ft.(m) o ta- • d)Attached garage(top of slab) _ft.(m) E ❑ CO e)Lowest elevation of machinery and/or equipment w servicing the building(Describe in a Comments area.) _ft.(m) ❑ f)Lowest adjacent(finished)grade(LAG) _ft.(m) z' ❑ g)Highest adjacent(finished)grade(HAG) _ft.(m) ❑ h)No. of permanent openings(flood vents)within 1 ft. above adjacent grade ❑ i)Total area of all permanent openings(flood vents)in C3.h sq. in. (sq. cm) SECTION D-SURVEYOR,ENGINEER,OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION This certification is to be signed and sealed by a land surveyor,engineer, or architect authorized by law to certify elevation information. I certify that the information in Sections A, B, and C on this certificate represents my best efforts to interpret the data available. I understand that any false statement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001. CERTIFIER'S NAME LICENSE NUMBER TITLE COMPANY NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE SIGNATURE DATE TELEPHONE FEMA Form 81-31,January 2003 See reverse side for continuation. Replaces all previous editions IMPORTANT: In these spaces,copy the corresponding information from Section A. For Insurance Company Use: BUILDING STREET ADDRESS(Including Apt.,Unit,Suite,and/or Bldg.No.)OR P.O.ROUTE AND BOX NO. Policy Number CITY STATE ZIP CODE Company NAIC Number SECTION D-SURVEYOR,ENGINEER,OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION(CONTINUED) Copy both sides of this Elevation Certificate for(1)community official, (2)insurance agent/company, and(3)building owner. COMMENTS I_I Check here if attachments SECTION E-BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION(SURVEY NOT REQUIRED)FOR ZONE AO AND ZONE A(WITHOUT BFE) For Zone AO and Zone A(without BFE), complete Items El.through E5. If the Elevation Certificate is intended for use as supporting information for a LOMA or LOMR-F,Section C must be completed. El. Building Diagram Number (Select the building diagram most similar to the building for which this certificate is being completed– see pages 6 and 7. If no diagram accurately represents the building, provide a sketch or photograph.) E2.The top of the bottom floor(including basement or enclosure)of the building is I—I—I ft. (m)I—I-1 in. (cm)I_I above or I I below (check one)the highest adjacent grade. (Use natural grade, if available.) E3. For Building Diagrams 6-8 with openings(see page 7),the next higher floor or elevated floor(elevation b)of the building is ft. (m)I—I_Iin. (cm)above the highest adjacent grade. Complete Items C3.h and C3.i on front of form. E4.The top of the platform of machinery and/or equipment servicing the building is 1-1-1 ft. (m)I I 1 in. (cm)I_I above or I_I below (check one)the highest adjacent grade. (Use natural grade, if available.) E5. For Zone AO only: If no flood depth number is available, is the top of the bottom floor elevated in accordance with the community's floodplain management ordinance?I_I Yes I_I No I I Unknown. The local official must certify this information in Section G. SECTION F-PROPERTY OWNER(OR OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE)CERTIFICATION The property owner or owner's authorized representative who completes Sections A, B, C(Items C3.h and C3.i only), and E for Zone A (without a FEMA-issued or community-issued BFE)or Zone AO must sign here. The statements in Sections A, B, C, and E are correct to the best of my knowledge. PROPERTY OWNER'S OR OWNER'S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE'S NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP CODE SIGNATURE DATE TELEPHONE COMMENTS —I Check here if attachments SECTION G -COMMUNITY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL) The local official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community's floodplain management ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C(or E), and G of this Elevation Certificate. Complete the applicable item(s)and sign below. GI. I_I The information in Section C was taken from other documentation that has been signed and embossed by a licensed surveyor, engineer,or architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation information. (Indicate the source and date of the elevation data in the Comments area below.) G2. I_I A community official completed Section E for a building located in Zone A(without a FEMA-issued or community-issued BFE)or Zone AO. G3. 1J The following information(Items G4-G9)is provided for community floodplain management purposes. G4.PERMIT NUMBER G5. DATE PERMIT ISSUED G6. DATE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE/OCCUPANCY ISSUED G7. This permit has been issued for: I_I New Construction I_I Substantial Improvement G8. Elevation of as-built lowest floor(including basement)of the building is: _ft. (m) Datum: G9. BFE or(in Zone AO)depth of flooding at the building site is: _ft. (m) Datum: LOCAL OFFICIAL'S NAME TITLE COMMUNITY NAME TELEPHONE SIGNATURE DATE COMMENTS I_I Check here if attachments FEMA Form 81-31,January 2003 Replaces all previous editions INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ELEVATION CERTIFICATE The Elevation Certificate is to be completed by a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information when elevation information is required for Zones Al-A30,AE,AH,A(with BFE),VE,V1-V30,V(with BFE), AR, AR/A,AR/AE,AR/Al-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO. Community officials who are authorized by law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information may also complete this form. For Zones AO and A (without BFE), a community official, a property owner, or an owner's representative may provide information on this certificate, unless the elevations are intended for use in supporting a LOMA or LOMR-F. Certified elevations must be included if the purpose of completing the Elevation Certificate is to obtain a LOMA or LOMR-F. In Puerto Rico only,elevations for building information and flood hazard information may be entered in meters. SECTION A-PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION This section identifies the building, its location, and its owner. Enter the name(s) of the building owner(s), the building's complete street address,and the lot and block number. If the building's address is different from the owner's address,enter the address of the building being certified. If the address is a rural route or a Post Office box number, enter the lot and block numbers,the tax parcel number,the legal description,or an abbreviated location description based on distance and direction from a fixed point of reference. For the purposes of this certificate, "building"means both a building and a manufactured(mobile) home. A map may be attached to this certificate to show the location of the building on the property. A tax map, FIRM, or detailed community map is appropriate. If no map is available, provide a sketch of the property location, and the location of the building on the property. Include appropriate landmarks such as nearby roads,intersections, and bodies of water. For building use, indicate whether the building is residential, non-residential, an addition to an existing residential or non-residential building,an accessory building(e.g.,garage),or other type of structure. Use the Comments area of Section F if needed. If latitude and longitude data are available, enter them in degrees, minutes, and seconds, or in decimal degrees, taken at the center of the front of the building. Enter arc seconds to two decimal places. Indicate the horizontal datum and the source of the measurement data(for example,taken with GPS, scaled from a USGS Quad Map,etc.). SECTION B-FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP(FIRM)INFORMATION Complete the Elevation Certificate on the basis of the FIRM in effect at the time of the certification. The information for Section B is obtained by reviewing the FIRM panel that includes the building's location. Information about the current FIRM and a pamphlet titled "Guide to Flood Maps" are available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) website at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-427-4661. If a Letter of Map Amendment(LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision(LOMR-F)has been issued by FEMA,please provide the letter date and case number in the Comments area of Section D or Section G,as appropriate. Item B1. NFIP Community Name&Community Number. Enter the complete name of the community in which the building is located and the associated 6-digit community number. For a building that is in an area that has been annexed by one community but is shown on another community's FIRM, enter the community name and 6-digit number of the annexing community. For a newly incorporated community, use the name and 6-digit number of the new community. Under the NFIP, a "community" is any State or area or political subdivision thereof, or any Indian tribe or authorized native organization, that has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction. To determine the current community number, see the NFIP Community Status Book,available on FEMA's website at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-427-4661. Item B2. County Name. Enter the name of the county or counties in which the community is located. For an unincorporated area of a county,enter"unincorporated area." For an independent city,enter"independent city." Item B3. State. Enter the 2-letter state abbreviation(for example,VA,TX,CA). Instructions—Page 1 Item B4. Map and Panel Number. Enter the 10-digit number shown on the FIRM panel where the building or manufactured (mobile)home is located. The first six digits will not match the NFIP community number: 1)when the sixth digit is a"C,"in which case the FIRM panel is in a countywide format; or 2) when one community has annexed land from another community but the FIRM panel has not been updated to reflect this annexation.If the sixth digit is a"C,"it is followed by a four-digit map number. For maps not in countywide format,enter the"community panel number"shown on the FIRM. Item B5. Suffix. Enter the suffix letter shown on the FIRM panel that includes the building's location. Item B6. FIRM Index Date. Enter the effective date or map revised date shown on the FIRM Index. Item B7. FIRM Panel Effective/Revised Date. Enter the map effective date or the map revised date shown on the FIRM panel. This will be the latest of all dates shown on the map. The current FIRM panel effective date can be determined by calling 1-800-427-4661. Item B8. Flood Zone(s). Enter the flood zone,or flood zones, in which the building is located. All flood zones containing the letter"A"or"V"are considered Special Flood Hazard Areas. The flood zones are A,AE,Al-A30,V, VE,V1-V30,AH,AO, AR,AR/A,AR/AE,AR/Al-A30,AR/AH, and AR/AO. Each flood zone is defined in the legend of the FIRM panel on which it appears. Item B9. Base Flood Elevation(s). Using the appropriate Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Profile, Flood Elevation Table, or FIRM panel,locate the property and enter the BFE(or base flood depth)of the building site. If the building is located in more than one flood zone in Item B8., list all appropriate BFEs in Item B9. BFEs are shown on a FIRM or FIS Profile for Zones Al-A30, AE, AH, V1-V30, VE, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, ARIAl-A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO; flood depth numbers are shown for Zone AO. Use the AR BFE if the building is located in any of Zones AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO. In A or V zones where BFEs are not provided on the FIRM,the community may have established BFEs or obtained BFE data from other sources. For subdivisions and other developments of more than 50 lots or 5 acres, establishment of BFEs is required by the community's floodplain management ordinance. If the BFE is obtained from another source,enter the BFE in Item B9. Item B10. Indicate the source of the BFE that you entered in Item B9. Item B!!. Indicate the elevation datum to which the elevations on the applicable FIRM are referenced. Item B12. Indicate whether the building is located in a Coastal Barrier Resources System(CBRS)area or Otherwise Protected Area(OPA). Federal flood insurance is prohibited in designated CBRS areas for buildings or manufactured (mobile) homes built or substantially improved after the date of the CBRS designation. An information sheet explaining CBRS areas may be obtained on FEMA's website at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-427-4661. SECTION C-BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION(SURVEY REQUIRED) Complete Section C if the building is located in any of Zones Al-A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1-A30, AR/AH, or AR/AO, or if this certificate is being used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F. If the building is located in Zone AO or Zone A (without BFE), complete Section E instead. To ensure that all required elevations are obtained, it may be necessary to enter the building(for instance, if the building has a basement or sunken living room,split-level construction,or machinery and equipment). Surveyors may not be able to gain access to some crawl spaces to shoot the elevation of the crawl space floor. If access to the crawl space cannot be gained,use the following guidance: • Use a yardstick or tape measure to measure the floor height to the "next higher floor," and then subtract the crawl space height from the elevation of the"next higher floor." • Contact the local floodplain administrator of the community that the building is located in. The community may have documentation of the elevation of the crawl space floor as part of the permit issued for the building. • If the property owner has documentation or knows the height of the crawl space floor to the next higher floor,try to verify this by looking inside the crawl space through any openings or vents. In all three cases,provide the elevation in the Comments area and a brief description of how the elevation was obtained. Item Cl. Indicate whether the elevations to be entered in this section are based on construction drawings, a building under construction, or finished construction. For either of the first two choices, a post-construction Elevation Certificate will be Instructions—Page 2 required when construction is complete. If the building is under construction, include only those elevations that can be surveyed in Items C3.a-g. Use the Comments area to provide elevations obtained from the construction plans or drawings. Select "finished construction" only when all machinery and/or equipment—furnaces, hot water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, and elevators and their associated equipment—have been installed and the grading around the building is completed. Item C2. Select the diagram on pages 6 and 7 that best represents the building. Then enter the diagram number and use the diagram to identify and determine the appropriate elevations requested in Items C3.a-g. If you are unsure of the correct diagram, select the diagram that most closely resembles the building being certified, or provide a sketch or photograph of the building and enter all elevations in Items C3.a-g. Item C3. Indicate whether the elevation reference mark(benchmark)used during the field survey is an elevation mark on the FIRM. If it is not, indicate the source and datum for the elevation. Vertical control benchmarks other than those shown on the FIRM are acceptable for elevation determinations. Show the conversion from the field survey datum used to the datum used for the BFE(s) entered in Item B9. All elevations for the certificate must be referenced to the datum on which the BFE is based. Show the datum conversion, if applicable, in this section or in the Comments area of Section D. For property experiencing ground subsidence, the most recently adjusted reference mark elevations must be used for determining building elevations. However, when subsidence is involved, the BFE should not be adjusted. Enter elevations in Items C3.a-g to the nearest tenth of a foot(nearest tenth of a meter,in Puerto Rico). Items C3.a-d. Enter the building elevations(excluding the attached garage) indicated by the selected building diagram (Item C2.) in Items C3.a-c. If there is an attached garage, enter the elevation for top of attached garage slab in Item C3.d. (Because elevation for top of attached garage slab is self-explanatory, attached garages are not illustrated in the diagrams.) If the building is located in a V zone on the FIRM, complete Item C3.c. If the flood zone cannot be determined, enter elevations for all of Items C3.a-g. For buildings in A zones,elevations a,b,d, and e should be measured at the top of the floor. For buildings in V zones, elevation c must be measured at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the floor(see drawing below).For buildings elevated on a crawl space,Diagram 8, enter the elevation of the top of the crawl space floor in Item C3.a, whether or not the crawl space has openings (flood vents). If any item does not apply to the building, enter "N/A"for not applicable. BUILDING ON BUILDING WITH BUILDING ON PILES, SLAB BASEMENT PIERS,OR COLUMNS A ZONES V ZONES //f CI A ZONES V ZONES CO ,,;, i „,,,,,,,,,\s,,4 I di A ZONES ft 1 WM AllEMBIl 11" P , 4 ....,___.___s___ ____....... ,, , *,..\ 0 BASE FLOOD \ �. � '1 ELEVATION O "`7 BASE FLOOD ADJACENT \\ ELEVATION DdACENT GRADE l� N., GRADE Item C3.e. Enter the lowest elevation of machinery and/or equipment—furnaces, hot water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, and elevators and their associated equipment—in an attached garage or enclosure or on an open utility platform that provides utility services for the building. If the machinery and/or equipment is mounted to a wall, pile, etc., enter the platform elevation of the machinery and/or equipment. Indicate machinery/equipment type in the Comments area of Section D or Section G,as appropriate. If this item does not apply to the building, enter "N/A"for not applicable. Items C3.f-g. Adjacent grade is defined as the elevation of the ground, sidewalk, patio slab, or deck support immediately next to the building. If the certificate is to be used for a LOMA or LOMR-F, provide in the Comments area the lowest adjacent grade elevation measured at the deck support or stairs if that elevation is lower than the building's lowest adjacent grade. For Instructions—Page 3 Zone AO, use the natural grade elevation, if available. This measurement must be to the nearest tenth of a foot(nearest tenth of a meter, in Puerto Rico)if this certificate is being used to support a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F. Items C3.h-i. Enter the number of permanent openings (flood vents) in the walls supporting the building, including the attached garage, that are no higher than 1.0 foot above the adjacent grade. Determine the total area of all such openings in square inches (square cm, in Puerto Rico), and enter the total in Item C3.i. If the building has no permanent openings (flood vents) within 1.0 foot above adjacent grade, enter "0" (zero) for each of Items C3.h and C3.i. Enter in the Comments area whether the openings are on the foundation walls of the building and/or on the walls of the garage. SECTION D-SURVEYOR,ENGINEER,OR ARCHITECT CERTIFICATION Complete as indicated. This section of the Elevation Certificate may be signed by only a land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. Place embossed seal and signature in the box next to elevations in Section C. A flat stamp is acceptable only in states that do not authorize use of an embossed seal over the signature of a professional. You are certifying that the information in Sections A, B, and C on this certificate represents your best efforts to interpret the data available and that you understand that any false statement may be punishable by fine or imprisonment under 18 U.S. Code, Section 1001. Use the Comments area of Section D, on the back of the certificate,to provide datum, elevation, or other relevant information not specified on the front. SECTION E-BUILDING ELEVATION INFORMATION(SURVEY NOT REQUIRED)FOR ZONE AO &ZONE A(WITHOUT BFE) Complete Section E if the building is located in Zone AO or Zone A(without BFE). Otherwise, complete Section C instead. Item El. Select the diagram on pages 6 and 7 that best represents the building; then enter the diagram number. If you are unsure of the correct diagram, select the diagram that most closely resembles the building, or provide a sketch or photograph. Explain in the Comments area if the measurement provided under Item E.2,E.3,or E.4 is based on the"natural grade." Item E2. Enter the height in feet and inches (meters and centimeters, in Puerto Rico) of the top of the bottom floor (as indicated in the applicable diagram)above or below the highest adjacent grade(HAG). For post-FIRM buildings in Zone AO, the community's floodplain management ordinance requires that this value equal or exceed the base flood depth on the FIRM. Buildings in Zone A (without BFE) may qualify for a lower insurance rate if an engineered BFE is developed at the site. Item E3. For Building Diagrams 6-8 with proper openings (see page 7), enter the height in feet and inches (meters and centimeters,in Puerto Rico)of the next higher floor or elevated floor(as indicated in the applicable diagram)above the highest adjacent grade (HAG). Be sure that you have completed Items C3.h and C3.i on the front of the form to show the number of permanent openings(flood vents)within 1 foot above adjacent grade and the total area of the openings. Item E4. Enter the height in feet and inches, in relation to the highest adjacent grade next to the building, of the platform that supports the machinery and/or equipment servicing the building. Indicate machinery/equipment type in the Comments area of Section E. If this item does not apply to the building, enter "N/A"for not applicable. Item ES. For those communities where this base flood depth is not available,the community will need to determine whether the top of the bottom floor is elevated in accordance with the community's floodplain management ordinance. SECTION F-PROPERTY OWNER(OR OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE)CERTIFICATION Complete as indicated. This section is provided for certification of measurements taken by a property owner or property owner's representative when responding to Sections A, B, C (Items C3.h and C3.i only), and E. The address entered in this section must be the actual mailing address of the property owner or property owner's representative who provided the information on the certificate. Instructions—Page 4 SECTION G-COMMUNITY INFORMATION (OPTIONAL) Complete as indicated. The community official who is authorized by law or ordinance to administer the community's floodplain management ordinance can complete Sections A, B, C (or E), and G of this Elevation Certificate. If the authorized community official completes Sections C,E,or G, complete the appropriate item(s)and sign this section. Check Item G1. if Section C is completed with elevation data from other documentation, including elevations obtained from the Community Rating System Elevation Software, that has been signed and embossed by a licensed surveyor, engineer, or architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. Indicate the source of the elevation data and the date obtained in the Comments area of Section G. If you are both a community official and a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect authorized by law to certify elevation information, and you performed the actual survey for a building in Zones Al- A30, AE, AH, A (with BFE), VE, V1-V30, V (with BFE), AR, ARIA, AR/A1-A30, AR/AE, AR/AH, or AR/AO, you must also complete Section D. Check Item G2. if information is entered in Section E by the community for a building in Zone A(without a FEMA-issued or community-issued BFE)or Zone AO. Check Item G3. if the information in Items G4-G9 has been completed for community floodplain management purposes to document the as-built lowest floor elevation of the building. Section C of the Elevation Certificate records the elevation of various building components but does not determine the lowest floor of the building or whether the building, as constructed, complies with the community's floodplain management ordinance. This must be done by the community. Items G4-G9 provide a way to document these determinations. Item G4. Permit Number. Enter the permit number or other identifier to key the Elevation Certificate to the permit issued for the building. Item G5. Date Permit Issued. Enter the date the permit was issued for the building. Item G6. Date Certificate of Compliance Issued. Enter the date that the Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy or similar written official documentation of as-built lowest floor elevation was issued by the community as evidence that all work authorized by the floodplain development permit has been completed in accordance with the community's floodplain management laws or ordinances. Item G7. New Construction or Substantial Improvement. Check the applicable box. "Substantial Improvement"means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a building, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building before the start of construction of the improvement. The term includes buildings that have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. Item G8. As-built lowest floor elevation. Enter the elevation of the lowest floor(including basement)when the construction of the building is completed and a final inspection has been made to confirm that the building is built in accordance with the permit, the approved plans, and the community's floodplain management laws or ordinances. Indicate the elevation datum used. Item G9. BFE. Using the appropriate FIRM panel, FIS, or other data source, locate the property and enter the BFE (or base flood depth)of the building site.Indicate the elevation datum used. Enter your name, title, and telephone number, and the name of the community. Sign and enter the date in the appropriate blanks. Instructions—Page 5 BUILDING DIAGRAMS The following eight diagrams illustrate various types of buildings. Compare the features of the building being certified with the features shown in the diagrams and select the diagram most applicable. Enter the diagram number in Item C2.and the elevations in Items C3.a-C3.g. In A zones, the floor elevation is taken at the top finished surface of the floor indicated; in V zones, the floor elevation is taken at the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member (see drawing in instructions for Section C). DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 All slab-on-grade single-and multiple-floor buildings All single-and multiple-floor buildings with basement (other than split-level)and high-rise buildings,either (other than split-level)and high-rise buildings with detached or row type(e.g.,townhouses);with or basement,either detached or row type(e.g., without attached garage. townhouses);with or without attached garage. Distinguishing Feature—The bottom floor is at or above ground level Distinguishing Feature—The bottom floor(basement or underground (grade)on at least one side.* garage)is below ground level(grade)on all sides. Buildings constructed above crawl spaces that are below grade on all sides should also use this 4110 diagram.* O 0 I I I I N I EXT HIGHER 1 FLOOR NEXT HIGHER 0 FLOOR GRADE BOTTOM FLOOR GRADE BOTTOM FLOOR r: :j:;`:: r. i b.r:. •O(determined by existing grade) ©O(determined by existing grade) DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 4 All split-level buildings that are slab-on-grade,either All split-level buildings(other than slab-on-grade), detached or row type(e.g.,townhouses);with or either detached or row type(e.g.,townhouses);with or without attached garage. without attached garage. Distinguishing Feature—The bottom floor(excluding garage)is at or Distinguishing Feature—The bottom floor(basement or underground above ground level(grade)on at least one side.` garage)is below ground level(grade)on all sides. Buildings constructed above crawl spaces that are below grade on all sides should also use this diagram.* 0 ' i i O ED b � HIGHER HIGHER FLOORS GRADE FLOORS NEXT HIGHER NEXT HIGHER GRADE FLOOR \ BOTTOM FLOOR FLOOR BOTTOM y LOOK BASEMENT i:.:::•r--"::::•:..: is _ _ ()Go (determined by existing grade) 00(determined by existing grade) * A floor that is below ground level(grade)on all sides is considered a basement even if the floor is used for living purposes,or as an office, garage,workshop,etc. Instructions—Page 6 DIAGRAM 5 DIAGRAM 6 All buildings elevated on piers, posts, piles,columns, All buildings elevated on piers, posts, piles,columns, or parallel shear walls. No obstructions below the or parallel shear walls with full or partial enclosure elevated floor. below the elevated floor. Distinguishing Feature—For all zones,the area below the elevated floor is Distinguishing Feature—For all zones,the area below the elevated floor is open,with no obstruction to flow of flood waters(open lattice work and/or enclosed,either partially or fully. In A Zones,the partially or fully enclosed readily removable insect screening is permissible). area below the elevated floor is with or without openings**present in the walls of the enclosure. Indicate information about openings in Section C, Building Elevation Information(Survey Required). ' NEXT HIGHER , , i NEXT HIGHER , a O FLOOR 1 FLOOR ' EII 1 O ELEVATED ELEVATED FLOOR FLOOR GRADE MEE GRADE ' ,�� „'M, ENCLOSURE (Do (determined by existing grade) ©0 (determined by (For V zones only)O • existing grade) •(For V zones only) DIAGRAM 7 DIAGRAM 8 All buildings elevated on full-story foundation walls All buildings elevated on a crawl space with the floor of with a partially or fully enclosed area below the the crawl space at or above grade on at least one side, elevated floor. This includes walkout levels,where at with or without an attached garage. least one side is at or above grade. The principal use of this building is located in the elevated floors of the building. Distinguishing Feature—For all zones,the area below the elevated floor is Distinguishing Feature—For all zones,the area below the first floor is enclosed,either partially or fully. In A Zones,the partially or fully enclosed enclosed by solid or partial perimeter walls. In all A zones,the crawl space area below the elevated floor is with or without openings**present in the is with or without openings**present in the walls of the crawl space. walls of the enclosure. Indicate information about openings in Section C, Indicate information about the openings in Section C,Building Elevation Building Elevation Information(Survey Required). Information(Survey Required). I I I I I 1 i0 NEXT HIGHER 0 I i O FLOOR 0 GRADE NEXT HIGHER GRADE , O FLOOR 0 fWALKOUT LEVEL■ OPE.I INGS** ......40. ............. .........,. . .. CRJkWL 6RA'CE ; 0411 ** An"opening"(flood vent)is defined as a permanent opening in a wall that allows for the free passage of water automatically in both directions without human intervention. Under the NFIP,a minimum of two openings is required for enclosures or crawl spaces with a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of area enclosed. Each opening must be on different sides of the enclosed area. If a building has more than one enclosed area,each area must have openings on exterior walls to allow floodwater to directly enter.The bottom of the openings must be no higher than one foot above the grade underneath the flood vents. Alternatively, you may submit a certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design will allow for the automatic equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls. A window,a door,or a garage door is not considered an opening. Instructions—Page 7 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Elevation Certificate This Floodplain Management Bulletin addresses frequently asked questions about the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP)Elevation Certificate.The bulletin addresses the following questions: Introduction 2 Frequently Asked Questions: 1) Are communities required to use the Elevation Certificate to verify compliance? 2 2) Can the Elevation Certificate be used to determine the"as built"lowest floor of a structure? 3 3) What is the community's responsibility for ensuring the Elevation Certificate is accurately completed? 6 4) Is it important for the datum used for the elevations obtained in section C of the Elevation Certificate to be the same as the datum used for the Base Flood Elevation in section B.9? 7 5) Why is it necessary to obtain the elevation of a crawlspace floor? 8 6) How can the elevation of a crawlspace floor be measured when the area is inaccessible? 8 7) How should the total area of permanent openings for section C3.i)be calculated if the openings include some type of cover? 9 8) Why is elevation information needed for certain types of machinery and equipment in section C3.e)of the Elevation Certificate? 10 9) Why is it important for communities to ensure that all machinery and equipment servicing the building is protected? 11 10) What requirements apply to ductwork? 12 11) Can the community use the Elevation Certificate to document compliance for all machinery and equipment servicing the building? 13 12) Why does the Elevation Certificate request the elevation for"Highest Adjacent Grade" and"Lowest Adjacent Grade"? Why doesn't the Elevation Certificate also request the elevation for"Natural Grade"? 14 13) Is a survey required for Zone AO in order to complete the Elevation Certificate? 15 14) Is it necessary to capture the elevation of a sunken room on the Elevation Certificate? 16 15) If the elevation of the slab foundation or other foundation was surveyed at the time it was poured and no other changes have been made to the structure, is a final elevation certification required after construction is completed? 16 16) Which diagram should be used for manufactured homes that have vinyl or aluminum skirting? 18 17) Are Elevation Certificates required for accessory structures, such as a detached garage or a storage shed? 18 18) If an Elevation Certificate is prepared as part of a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)or Letter of Map Revision based on fill(LOMR-F),but a Base Flood Elevation is not available in a Zone A,how can a Base Flood Elevation be obtained? 19 Further Information,Comments,and Ordering Information 20 Page 1 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Introduction The Elevation Certificate(FEMA Form 81-31)is an important administrative tool of the NFIP.It is used to determine the proper flood insurance premium rate;it can be used to document elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management regulations;and it may be used to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment(LOMA)or Letter of Map Revision based on fill(LOMR-F).This Floodplain Management Bulletin addresses frequently asked questions about completing and using the Elevation Certificate. This bulletin is primarily intended to assist local floodplain management officials with responsibility for administering the community's floodplain management ordinance and to assist land surveyors, architects,and engineers who are authorized by law to certify elevation information on the Elevation Certificate.Insurance professionals who use the Elevation Certificate for insurance rating purposes may also find this bulletin useful.The information contained in this Floodplain Management Bulletin is not intended to replace the Instructions section of the Elevation Certificate,but to supplement them. Because a FEMA Elevation Certificate is needed before most flood insurance policies can be issued under the NFIP,communities are encouraged to obtain and maintain Elevation Certificates so that residents and businesses can easily obtain flood insurance.In order to participate in the NFIP Community Rating System(CRS),communities must require and maintain the Elevation Certificate for all new and substantially improved structures. References are made throughout this bulletin to various sections in the Elevation Certificate.You can obtain a copy of the Certificate through the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) Distribution Center or obtain a copy of the Certificate at the website http://training.nfipstat.com/ecsurveyor/.This is also the website for the Elevation Certificate tutorial. Frequently Asked Questions 1) Are communities required to use the FEMA Elevation Certificate to verify compliance? The NFIP regulations do not mandate that a community participating in the NFIP use a specific form for keeping building elevation records.Under the NFIP,communities are required to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor(including basement)of all new and substantially improved structures and maintain a record of all such information[44 CFR 60.3(b)(5)].The community's permit files need an official record that documents to what height new buildings and substantial improvements in the Special Flood Hazard Area were elevated.This record is needed to show that buildings constructed in the floodplain are compliant with the community's floodplain management ordinance.While communities can create their own forms for documenting elevation information,communities are encouraged to use the FEMA Elevation Certificate for documenting the elevation of various building elements(section C of the Elevation Certificate)and for documenting building compliance including the lowest floor determination(section G of the Elevation Certificate which is the Community Information section).The advantage of using the Elevation Certificate is that it will help the property owner in obtaining flood insurance since this form is used in determining a flood insurance rate. In order to participate in the CRS,communities are required to obtain and maintain completed FEMA Elevation Certificates for all buildings constructed or substantially improved in the Special Flood Hazard Area after the community's initial date of application for the CRS.Credit is provided to CRS communities that maintain Certificates for all new and substantially improved buildings.A software Page 2 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin program has been developed to enter Elevation Certificate data into an electronic database using a personal computer.Additional credit is available to CRS communities that maintain Elevation Certificates in a computerized format and provide a disk of the Elevation Certificate data to FEMA each year.You can obtain the software by writing or emailing your request to: The National Flood Insurance Program E-mail:NFIPCRSAISO.COM Community Rating System(NFIP/CRS) P.O.Box 501016 Indianapolis,IN 46250-1016 2) Can the Elevation Certificate be used to determine the "as built" lowest floor of a structure? The local official can use the guidance in Figure 1 on the following pages to help determine which level, based on the elevation information provided in section C of the Elevation Certificate,is the lowest floor. However,the local official should not rely solely on the Elevation Certificate for determining the lowest floor without inspecting the building site and without discussions with the permit applicant.Although section C of the Elevation Certificate records the elevation of the various building floors and components,this section does not specifically identify the"as built"lowest floor of the building or indicate whether the building,as constructed,complies with the community's floodplain management regulations.The determination of the"as built"lowest floor for compliance with the community's floodplain management ordinance is the responsibility of the local floodplain management official.The most effective way to ensure compliance is to inspect the site frequently during construction.This is particularly important in the early phases of work on a building because that is when errors in the elevation of the lowest floor can be found and most easily corrected. The"Diagram Description"in the left hand column below refers to the eight Diagrams included in the Instructions for the Elevation Certificate.The"As Built Lowest Floor Determination"in the right hand column refers to the location that should be the lowest floor based on the type of building for which an "as built"determination is being made.The local official can document the"as built"lowest floor in item G8.of the Elevation Certificate(section G)or can document the"as built"elevation information on other community permit forms.Communities should also conduct the appropriate inspections to verify the elevation information and other information on the Elevation Certificate and to determine the building's lowest floor to ensure that the building complies with the community's floodplain management regulations(See Question 15). Page 3 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Figure 1. "As Built" Lowest Floor Guide Diagram Description: "As Built" Lowest Floor Determination Diagram 1: Slab-on-grade buildings. A Zones: C3.a,top of bottom floor. V Zones: See Note 1. Diagram 2: Buildings with basements. A Zones: C3.a,top of bottom floor(including basement). V Zones: See Note 1. Diagram 3: Split-level slab-on-grade A Zones: C3.a,top of bottom floor. buildings. V Zones: See Note 1. Diagram 4: Split-level buildings other A Zones: C3.a,top of bottom floor(including than slab-on-grade. basement). V Zones: See Note 1. Diagram 5: Buildings elevated on piers A Zones: C3.a,top of elevated floor. posts,piles,columns,or parallel shear V Zones: C3.c,bottom of lowest horizontal walls(no obstructions,but open lattice structural member. and/or screening is permissible.) Diagram 6: Buildings elevated on piers, A Zones: If the enclosure has proper openings posts,piles,columns,or parallel shear AND is used solely for parking, walls with full or partial enclosure. building access,or storage(see Note 2):C3.b,top of elevated floor. If the enclosure does NOT have proper openings OR is used for something other than parking,access,or storage: C3.a, top of floor of enclosure. V Zones: If the enclosure's walls are break away AND the enclosure is used solely for parking,building access,or storage(see Note 3): C3.c,bottom of lowest horizontal structural member of the elevated floor. If the enclosure's walls are NOT breakaway OR the enclosure is used for something other than parking,ac- cess or storage: C3.a, floor of enclo- sure. Continued on next page Page 4 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Figure 1. "As Built" Lowest Floor Guide Diagram Description: "As Built" Lowest Floor Determination Diagram 7: Buildings elevated on A Zones: If the walkout level(enclosure)has full-story foundation walls with partial the proper openings AND is used or full enclosure. solely for parking,building access,or storage(see Note 2): C3.b,top of next higher floor. If the walkout level(enclosure)does NOT have the proper openings OR is used for something other than parking, access,or storage: C3.a,top of floor of walkout level. V Zones: See Note 1. Diagram 8: Buildings elevated on A Zones: If the crawlspace enclosure has the crawlspace.(See Note 4 on proper openings(see Note 2):C3.b,top differentiating between a of next higher floor. crawlspace and a basement.) If the crawl space enclosure does NOT have the proper openings: C3.a,top of floor of crawlspace. V Zones: See Note 1. Attached Garage(when garage floor is If the garage has the proper openings(see below the Base Flood Elevation): Note 2),then the garage floor(C3.d)is not the "lowest floor"for purposes of determining the as- built lowest floor of the building in item G8.of the Elevation Certificate. If the building has an attached garage that does NOT have the proper openings,then the garage floor(C3.d)is the"lowest floor"that should be identified in G8. Equipment: Under the NFIP,buildings Even though the building may be properly elevated must be constructed with electrical, based on the"as built"lowest floor, it is not a heating,ventilation,plumbing,and air- compliant building unless the equipment is conditioning equipment and other properly elevated or floodproofed. service facilities that are designed and/or See also Protecting Building Utilities From Flood located so as to prevent water from Damage,FEMA 348,2000. entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. Generally,this is done by elevating equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, but there are ways to floodproof equipment to keep water out. Continued on next page Page 5 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin from other documentation that has been signed and embossed by a licensed surveyor,engineer, or architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation information to complete section C,the local official needs to ensure the certified elevations are accurate and complete before entering them in section C. If not,the local official should request new certified elevations.Note: If the community uses elevation information taken from documentation other than the FEMA Elevation Certificate,the local official should check the box in G1.on the Elevation Certificate and indicate in the comment section the source of the elevation data. 2) The local official can do the following if incomplete or inaccurate information is found in sections A,B,or Cl,C2,and C3.e),h)and i). Note: The local official should not mark up the form with the correct information because the information in sections A,B and C is certified by a land surveyor,engineer,or architect who is authorized by law to certify elevation information. a) The forms may be returned to the surveyor with instructions on what needs to be changed or corrected; b) The local official can prepare a separate memo with the correct information and attach the memo to the form. When the Certificate is provided to an inquirer,the memo must be included with it; or c) The local official can note the changes or corrections in section G of the Elevation Certificate under Comments. 3) If the community uses Elevation Certificate software or maintains the elevation information in a database,the community can correct sections A and B, and subsection Cl,C2, and C3.e),h), and i)when the data from the Certificate is entered into the Elevation Certificate software or database. It must be noted in section G what changes were made to the original paper copy. The local official should check item G1 when data are entered into database or elevation certificate software. The community will still need to keep the original Certificate,but can hand out copies printed from the corrected electronic version. It should be noted that the community assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the changes it makes.Therefore,data entry for electronic versions should be double-checked. One way communities can ensure that Elevation Certificates are accurately filled out is to complete sections A and B at the time of the permit application. The partially completed form can then be given to the surveyor who can then focus on completing the surveyed information in section C.If a community does complete section A and B,the surveyor should note in the comment section that the surveyor's certification is limited to section C. 4) Is it important for the datum used for the elevations obtained in section C of the Elevation Certificate to be the same as the datum used for the Base Flood Elevation in section B.9? Yes. If the datum for the elevations in items C3.a)-g)are not properly converted when necessary,it could result in an inaccurate determination of compliance by the local floodplain management official or it could result in an inaccurate flood insurance rate. In item B 1.of the Elevation Certificate,the elevation datum(either NGVD 1929 or NAVD 1988)to which the Base Flood Elevations on the applicable FIRM are referenced should be indicated.All elevations in section C must be referenced to the datum on which the Base Flood Elevation is based. If a datum conversion Page 7 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin is necessary,show the field measurements and datum conversion calculation in section C or in the Comments of section D or G,as appropriate. 5) Why is it necessary to obtain the elevation of a crawlspace floor? It is very important that the elevation of the crawlspace floor be obtained so that,in the case of new or substantially improved construction,the community can determine compliance of the building with the community's floodplain management ordinance and the insurance agent can properly rate the structure for flood insurance. If the floor of the crawlspace is below grade on all sides or the crawlspace foundation walls do not have proper openings in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3(c)(5)of the NFIP regulations that allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters into the crawlspace area there is an increased risk of flood damages to the building due to hydrostatic pressure.The crawlspace foundation could be damaged or fail completely.It doesn't matter whether the crawlspace floor is a dirt floor or a fmished floor. The flood insurance rates for structures with crawlspaces up to 2 feet below-grade on all sides are higher than those for buildings that have the interior grade of the crawlspace at or above the lowest adjacent grade,since the risk of flood damage is greater for this type of construction.For structures that have their crawlspace floors greater than 2 feet below-grade,a full basement rate will be charged.These rates are higher still due to the increased risk of flood damage to the building. Additional guidance on crawlspace construction can be found in Technical Bulletin 11-01,Crawlspace Construction for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas,(FIA-TB-11). 6) How can the elevation of a crawlspace floor be measured when the area is inaccessible? It is recognized that surveyors may not have access to some crawlspaces in buildings due to height restrictions or lack of an access door and may not be able to shoot an elevation of the interior floor of the crawlspace. If the surveyor has limited access to the crawlspace,such as in the case of the building in Figure 2,and is unable to shoot an elevation of the floor of the crawlspace[C3.a)],the surveyor can do the following: a. Use a yardstick or tape measure to check the floor height to the next highest floor,and then subtract the crawlspace height from the elevation of the"next higher floor"[C3.b)].Provide the elevation in the comment section only and provide a brief description of how the elevation was obtained. b. Contact the local floodplain administrator for the community that the building is located in.The community may have documentation of the elevation of the crawlspace floor as a part of the permit process for the building.Provide the elevation in the comment section and provide a brief description of how the elevation was obtained. c. If the property owner has documentation or knows the height of the crawlspace floor to the next higher floor,try to verify this by looking inside the crawlspace through any openings or vents.If information appears to be reliable,provide the elevation in the comment section and provide a brief description of how the elevation was obtained. Page 8 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Figure 2. Limited Access to Crawl Space Letters equate to items in Section C3. of the a� _ _- , _ � - Elevation Certificate: °', a) Top of bottom floor b) Top of next higher rte_1t.�.. . . floor f) Lowest adjacent ky grade q\s4 g) Highest adjacent -°� is 3 grade h) No of permanent ' A openings i) Total area of all I permanent openings �„ �� ., _ in square inches. v „gym v,, tea, ,,,. .. , NOTE:For all three suggestions above,under subsection C3.a)Top of bottom floor(including basement or enclosure)of the Elevation Certificate,the surveyor should indicate the following:"See comments section." 7) How should the total area of permanent openings for section C3.i) be calculated if the openings include some type of cover? Buildings constructed on extended foundation walls or that have other enclosures below the Base Flood Elevation in A Zones are subject to flood forces that include hydrostatic pressure of floodwaters against the foundation or enclosure walls. If the walls are not designed to withstand hydrostatic pressure,they can be weakened or can fail causing damages to the building.The NFIP Regulations at 44 CFR 60.3(c)(5)require that foundation and enclosure walls of buildings constructed in A Zones contain openings(flood vents)that will permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.These openings allow floodwaters to reach equal levels on both sides of the walls and thereby lessen the potential for damage from hydrostatic pressure.Under the NFIP,the following requirements must be met for all new or substantially improved A Zone buildings that have enclosed areas below the Base Flood Elevation: • There must be a minimum of two openings and the openings should be on different sides of each enclosed area. If a building has more than one enclosed area,each area must have openings on exterior walls to allow floodwater to directly enter. • The total net area of all openings must be at least 1 square inch for each 1 square foot of enclosed area. • The bottom of each opening can be no more than 1 foot above the adjacent grade. In situations where it is not feasible or desirable to meet the openings criteria stated above,a design professional(registered architect or engineer)may design and certify the openings. See Technical Bulletin 1-93 on Openings in Foundation Walls for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas(FIA-TB-1)for additional guidance on the openings requirement. In all cases,any grates, louvers,grills,bars,or other opening covers must not block or impede the automatic flow of floodwaters into and out of the enclosed area. Page 9 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Item C3.h)of the Elevation Certificate asks for the number of permanent openings in the walls supporting the building that are no higher than 1 foot above the adjacent grade and item C3.i)asks for the total area of all such openings in square inches. If there are no permanent openings within 1 foot above the adjacent grade,"0"(zero)should be entered in items C3.h)and i).Also,the surveyor should note in the Comments section whether the openings are in the foundation walls of the building and/or in the walls of any attached garage. When there are grates, louvers,grills,or other opening covers as indicated in Figure 3,the surveyor can estimate the net open area in the flood vent(total area of all permanent openings in square inches). If the size of the openings,excluding any grates, louvers,grills,or other covers,cannot be estimated,the surveyor can measure the size of the opening,without consideration to the existence of any covers,and indicate in the comment section the type of opening cover that exists.It is the community's responsibility and not the surveyor's to determine whether the size,number,and location of the openings meet the requirements of the community's floodplain management ordinance. Figure 3. Examples of Opening Covers Grate Louver Grill IIIMIIIIIMM...--- II ry fr No '"''''''"''' ...... 111,1111111 I i'l 19111 '11111 1::::EiS7eqe [ -.---7Z.----t All min.11111111 IA mum NE1,,,Moll IA _1 1' 8) Why is elevation information needed for certain types of machinery and equipment in section C3.e) of the Elevation Certificate? Because the area below the lowest elevated floor of an elevated building is exposed to floodwaters, there is limited flood insurance coverage in this area for Post-FIRM(Flood Insurance Rate Map) buildings located in zones Al-A30,AE,AH,AR,AR/A,AR/AE,AR/AH,AR/Al-A30,V1-V30,or VE.Flood insurance is provided for foundation elements that support the building,access stairs,and certain machinery and equipment items that are considered essential building elements located in enclosed areas below the lowest elevated floor of elevated buildings.The machinery and equipment items include a furnace,water heater,heat pump,air conditioner,and elevator.No coverage is provided for enclosures and only limited coverage is available for personal property contained therein. For flood insurance purposes,the underwriter needs to know the lowest elevation of at least one covered machinery and equipment item in order to determine if a rate loading or surcharge is necessary. Page 10 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Thus,the Elevation Certificate requires that the surveyor provide the elevation of the one machinery and equipment item if it is a furnace,hot water heater,heat pump,air conditioner,or elevator in C3.e) that has the lowest elevation and indicate the type of machinery and equipment surveyed in section D. An insurance rate loading is determined based on the elevation of the machinery and equipment item that is below the Base Flood Elevation.Additional information about other machinery and equipment is obtained on Part II of the Flood Insurance Application. Note that the lowest elevation of machinery and equipment is needed whether the machinery and equipment is located inside or outside of the footprint of the building.For example,if the slab for an air conditioning condenser unit is the lowest elevation of covered machinery,then that is the elevation that should be documented in C3.e).However,the local floodplain management official is required to ensure that all machinery and equipment servicing the building are protected from flooding (See Questions 9 and 10).While the Elevation Certificate requires the elevation of only one machinery and equipment item,Question 11 addresses how community officials can ensure that all machinery and equipment is protected in accordance with the community's floodplain management ordinance and how compliance of these items can be documented. 9) Why is it important for communities to ensure that all machinery and equipment servicing the building is protected? Protecting a building from flood damage means more than elevating the lowest floor to or above the Base Flood Elevation. Sections 60.3a(3)(ii)and(iv)of the NFIP regulations require that buildings "(ii) be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage"and "(iv)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." Flood insurance claims as well as post-disaster assessments have shown that significant damage to the machinery and equipment servicing the building(e.g.,furnaces,hot water heaters,air conditioners,fuel systems,electrical receptacles,ductwork,and insulation)can occur due to improper design and location of these systems below the Base Flood Elevation.Floodwater often contains dissolved chemicals,silt, suspended solids,and floating debris.Moving floodwater exerts pressure on everything in its path,and causes erosion of soil and scour around solid objects. With such destructive characteristics,floodwaters present many hazards to the often-fragile components of building support utility systems including corrosion,contamination,flotation,dislocation,and other physical damages.Improperly designed or located machinery and equipment below the Base Flood Elevation that become dislodged can also increase damages to the structure itself even though the building's lowest floor was high enough. In addition,mold,mildew and fungus accumulating in flood damaged air passageways,such as ductwork,often can lead to serious health issues for residents or occupants of the structure.As a result,improperly designed and located machinery and equipment can result in increased costs and potentially extensive repairs.If the machinery and equipment servicing the building is damaged or destroyed,the building may be unusable for days or even longer. Page 11 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin In A Zones,utilities and equipment must be either elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation or made watertight to the Base Flood Elevation so that the components are protected from flood damages. In V Zones,utilities and equipment must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation.If not,then the building is not in compliance with the NFIP floodplain management regulations. 10) What requirements apply to ductwork? One question that gets frequently raised is related to the requirements that apply to ductwork.Ductwork must be either elevated above the Base Flood Elevation or if ductwork is located below the Base Flood Elevation,it must be made watertight to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the system components when inundated by floodwaters. Equipment and the supporting distribution system should be elevated such as in Figure 4 or,as an alternative,property owners and builders should consider locating ductwork in the attic as indicated in Figure 5. Figure 4. Compliant machinery and Figure 5. Compliant machinery and equipment. equipment. Top of Floor Furnace Joist Furnace .: Ductwork 4,0. located attic t in ttic Ott DUCT' BFIwn, BFE Ductwork may only be located below the Base Flood Elevation in new or substantially improved structures in a Special Flood Hazard Area as shown in Figure 6 if it is made watertight.This technique (making ductwork watertight)is only allowed in A Zones.Although it is possible to design and construct ductwork so that it is watertight to keep floodwater from entering the system components,this technique is not commonly used. In V Zones,ductwork must be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation. Ductwork that is not elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation or is not made sufficiently watertight to keep floodwater from entering the system components is considered non-compliant as shown in Figure 6. Page 12 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Figure 6. Non-compliant ductwork For additional guidance on protecting utilities and other equipment servicing the building Top of Floor from flood damage,see FEMA manual, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Furnace Joist Damage,FEMA 348.This document reviews principles and practices for the design and construction of flood resistant building utility systems including ductwork and other BEE equipment from flood damage. fyder 11) Can the community use the Elevation Certificate to document compliance for all machinery and equipment servicing the building? The community can use the Elevation Certificate to document compliance of all utilities,ductwork, machinery,and equipment or the community can use its own forms to document compliance.The following steps are recommended to communities to ensure that all machinery and equipment are in full compliance with the NFIP. • Review your community's floodplain management ordinance and verify that it clearly requires elevation and protection of utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment to or above the Base Flood Elevation.If not,the floodplain management ordinance should be revised to include these requirements.If in doubt,ask your community's legal counsel whether the ordinance can be interpreted as providing this protection or check with the FEMA Regional Office or the State Coordinator for the NFIP. • Review your permit application and inspection procedures to determine the best way to ensure that the requirement is being met.This may necessitate procedural changes such as additional information on the permit application form,additional plans provided by the permit applicant,an addition to a field inspection checklist,and/or a photograph for the record at the time of the final inspection. • Discuss the matter with local builders and architects as necessary.Refer them to FEMA's manual, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage,FEMA 348. • Make sure the building plans clearly indicate that the building's utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment,such as furnaces,water heaters,heat pumps,air conditioners,and elevators and their associated equipment,will be properly elevated or that the components located below the Base Flood Elevation will be protected such that floodwater is prevented from entering or accumulating within the system components(watertight)(allowed in A zones only)before issuing the permit. • Inspect the location of all utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment during the course of construction and make a fmal inspection after construction is completed to ensure that these items comply with the community's floodplain management regulations. Page 13 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin • Make sure that the community records show that utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment have been properly elevated or made watertight(A zones only)once construction has been completed.Elevation of these items can be documented in the following ways: o The community can document elevation of utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment on the community inspection records.The final inspection records can note that the bottom of the items,such as ductwork,are"X"feet above or below the lowest floor or the actual elevation can be used; o The community can document compliance of utilities,ductwork,machinery,and equipment in the Comments area of section G of the Elevation Certificate.The community can note in section G that the bottom of these items,such as ductwork,is "X"feet above or below the lowest floor or the actual elevation of these items can be used;or o The Elevation Certificate for finished construction requires the surveyor to enter the lowest elevation of one machinery or equipment item—a furnace,water heater,heat pump,air conditioner,or elevator—located in an attached garage or enclosure or on an open utility platform that provides utility services for the building in C3.e).If there is more than one machinery and/or equipment item,the community can require the surveyor to document the elevation of all machinery and equipment and list the type of machinery and equipment in the Comments area of section D when the Elevation Certificate is being used to document compliance.However,the community must still verify through inspections that all machinery and equipment comply with the community's floodplain management regulations. NOTE:Ductwork is not included in machinery and equipment that the surveyor must capture in C3.e)of the Elevation Certificate.However,the community can ask the surveyor to document the elevation of the bottom of the ductwork in section D of the Elevation Certificate or a community can document the elevation of ductwork in the community's inspection records or in section G of the Elevation Certificate. Where component protection is used for utilities,ductwork,and other machinery and equipment, the community should require documentation on the plans and indicate in the inspection records that these items have been designed and constructed so as to prevent floodwaters from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding(watertight). 12) Why does the Elevation Certificate request the elevation for "Highest Adjacent Grade" and "Lowest Adjacent Grade"? Why doesn't the Elevation Certificate also request the elevation for "Natural Grade"? Both the highest adjacent grade and the lowest adjacent grade are included in section C3.because it provides a clearer picture of how the building is constructed relative to the terrain.It also helps to verify that the diagram number chosen for the building is most similar to the building surveyed.This is particularly important for insurance rating since the underwriter at the insurance company will likely never see the building. In Zones A1-30,AE,AH,AO,A(with a Base Flood Elevation),VE,V 1-30,V(with a Base Flood Elevation)AR,AR/A,AR/AE,AR/A1-30,AR/AH,and AR/AO,natural grade information should be obtained by the community as part of the floodplain development permit application.The natural grade information should be obtained at this stage before any permit is issued in order to determine the Page 14 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin relationship between the natural ground and the Base Flood Elevation.This information is necessary in order to determine how high the building ultimately needs to be elevated.This information can be obtained from topographic information or from spot elevations obtained as part of site plans or drainage plans. The community should document the natural grade information on the permit application or in section G of the Elevation Certificate.If the Elevation Certificate is used as part of the permit application and the building elevation is based on construction drawings,then the"Construction Drawings"box should be checked under item Cl.of the Elevation Certificate. 13) Is a survey required for Zone AO in order to complete the Elevation Certificate? No. Section C,which must be completed and certified by a surveyor, is not required for Zone AO. Only sections E and F are required to be completed.The information in section E is all that is needed in order to rate the structure for insurance purposes provided that sections A and B are also completed.However,if the elevations are intended for use in supporting a LOMA or LOMR-F, section C must be completed with certified elevations. Although a survey is not required for Zone AO to complete the Elevation Certificate,the local floodplain management official must take appropriate actions to ensure that the structure is built in compliance. In Zone AO,all new and substantially improved buildings must have the lowest floor (including basement)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) [44 CFR 60.3(c)(7)].Under the NFIP,highest adjacent grade means "the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure."(44 CFR 59.1). In order to ensure that a building in Zone AO is properly elevated,the community will have to determine that the lowest floor(including basement)is above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the AO Zone depth.This may include reviewing grading plans and looking at topographic information before the building is constructed,and conducting inspections during the course of construction and before the building is occupied. As part of the administration of the community's subdivision ordinance,a community may already be requiring grading plans and other site information in which the elevation of the ground is provided as part of the subdivision review. The local floodplain management official should check the ground elevation information as part of the permit process in an AO Zone so that it can be used later to determine whether the lowest floor is above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the AO Zone depth.The community should document the ground elevation information in the floodplain development permit file or in section G of the Elevation Certificate. If the community does not require a site plan or grading plan,the community could require a survey of the ground elevation,check topographical information,if it is available and is sufficiently detailed,or require the builder to place a reference mark on the site so that the local official can determine that the building is elevated on fill to or above the required number of feet above natural grade. Communities shall not base their lowest floor determination on the completion of section E by the property owner or his or her agent. Under the NFIP,it is the community's responsibility to ensure that the building is built according to the permit application. The local floodplain management Page 15 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin official should conduct a sufficient number of inspections to ensure that the building is built in compliance. 14) Is it necessary to capture the elevation of a sunken room on the Elevation Certificate? Yes.The elevation of a sunken room or a sunken area within a room should be captured on the Elevation Certificate in item C3.of the Elevation Certificate at either C3.a)"Top of the bottom floor"or C3.b)"Top of next higher floor"depending on its location above or below other floors such as a basement. The floor of the sunken room could be considered the"lowest floor"under the community's floodplain management ordinance depending on its location relative to other floors. The sunken room could also be considered the"lowest floor"for insurance rating purposes. If the sunken room is below grade on all four sides as illustrated in Figure 7, it is considered a basement and Diagram 2 should be selected for item C2. of the Elevation Certificate. Figure 7. Building with a Sunken Room Letters equate to items in Section C3. of the Higher Floor Elevation Certificate: • a) Top of bottom floor Next Higher Floor 0 Bottom Floor (include basement or (Sunken Room - Basement' enclosure) ` b) Top of next higher floor f) Lowest adjacent grade g) Highest adjacent grade 15) If the elevation of the slab foundation or other foundation was surveyed at the time it was poured and no other changes have been made to the structure, is a final elevation certification required after construction is completed? Yes. Once construction of the building is completed,the community must obtain "as built" elevation information on the building to determine whether the building is compliant in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3(b)(5)(i).As indicated in question 1,there is no mandated form—the community can use its own form or the Elevation Certificate to document the"as built"elevation information. These elevations need to be surveyed by a surveyor,engineer, or architect who is authorized by law to certify such elevation information. Use of a tape measure is not sufficient for determining"as built"elevation information and cannot be used for completing section C of the Elevation Certificate for the various floor elevations of the building required on the Certificate. The"as built"elevation information must be obtained before an occupancy permit is issued. While construction is underway and changes can be more easily made to bring the building into compliance,the community should still verify that the building is elevated to the proper elevation and that other building elements will be protected from flood damages. Community floodplain management officials should not assume that construction and development will proceed as spelled out in the approved permit.The most effective way to ensure compliance is to inspect the building Page 16 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin site frequently during construction.A series of at least three inspections is recommended for any project that involves construction of a building in the floodplain. The first inspection should be done before the ground is broken to determine that the site as identified on the permit application and proposed plans are consistent with actual ground conditions.This provides the local official an opportunity to check the floodplain/floodway boundaries,any setback lines,channel banks,etc. A second inspection is recommended just before installation of the lowest floor to ensure that this floor will be built at the elevation stipulated in the permit application,and the foundation is the type specified in the plans.The type of foundation may dictate the schedule for this inspection.For example,if the building has a slab foundation,the inspection is best done when the forms are placed.If the forms for the slab are high enough,the local official can approve pouring the slab.In another example,if the building has an elevated foundation,(e.g.,crawlspace),the inspection is best done when the foundation is completed. If the top of the foundation of the crawlspace is high enough,the local official can approve placement of the floor. Making sure the lowest floor is properly elevated is the key to the entire floodplain construction process.The floor elevation can be checked during the second inspection in a couple of ways.The local official can require the builder to obtain a certification of the floor elevation or alternatively, the local official can use a hand level to determine whether the lowest floor will be as high as the reference mark established by the builder's surveyor before construction began.This reference mark could be located on a nearby stationary object such as a telephone or light pole or the surveyor could establish the reference mark on a stake. Use of a hand level will give the local official a rough estimate that the building will be constructed to the correct elevation. However,it is not as accurate an elevation as a survey. During the second and later inspections the local official should also begin checking other building elements against the permit and the plans,such as whether the fill meets necessary compaction, slope,and protection requirements;the location of utilities are being properly protected;and if any openings are required,they are of the appropriate number and size and are located at the appropriate height above grade. The local official should conduct a final inspection and obtain the"as-built"elevation certification to determine if the lowest floor is at the proper elevation.This inspection should be done as the project nears completion and before the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is issued.The"as built"certification can be documented on the Elevation Certificate or on the community's own forms or on the plans.During this final inspection,all building elements(such as enclosures,openings,utilities,ductwork,machinery and equipment,breakaway walls,and anchoring)need to be thoroughly inspected to ensure that they comply with the community's floodplain management regulations. For insurance purposes, for a building under construction,the survey should include only the elevations surveyed in items C3.a)-g).The remaining elevations,if applicable,should be obtained from the construction plans or drawings and entered as Comments in section D. Buildings in the course of construction are rated the same as completed construction.A renewal application and a new Elevation Certificate are required at renewal time once the building has been completed.The new Elevation Certificate should then be based on"Finished Construction"in item Cl. Page 17 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin 16) Which diagram should be used for manufactured homes that have vinyl or aluminum skirting? If the vinyl or aluminum skirting is purely for decorative purposes,the skirting can be disregarded and Diagram 5 can be used in both A and V Zones.However,if the area below the manufactured home's lowest floor is enclosed by something other than vinyl or aluminum skirting,it may be an enclosure in which case Diagrams 6 or 8 may be more appropriate.The surveyor can note in the Comments section whether the manufactured home includes vinyl or aluminum skirting.Openings are not required if vinyl or aluminum skirting is used. The local official should document on the permit whether skirting will be used or whether the area below the manufactured home's lowest floor will be an enclosure before issuing a permit.If an enclosure is created below the manufactured home's lowest floor,the enclosure can only be used for parking,access,or storage.If the manufactured home is located in an A Zone,the enclosed area must include openings [44 CFR 60.3(c)(5)]. If it is located in a V Zone,the area below the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor must be 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 manufactured home or supporting foundation system[44 CFR 60.3(e)(5)]. 17) Are Elevation Certificates required for accessory structures, such as a detached garage or a storage shed? If a community requires that an accessory structure must be elevated to or above a specified elevation,then an Elevation Certificate or similar documentation will be needed to ensure that the accessory structure was built in compliance.Communities may allow accessory structures that are not elevated or dry floodproofed(made watertight)provided that they represent a minimal investment and are designed to have a low damage potential with respect to the structure and contents.These structures could include a two-car detached garage or smaller or a small shed. Generally,a community should allow wet floodproofed accessory structures only through its variance process unless it has established specific criteria in its floodplain management regulations. If the community allows wet floodproofed accessory structures,a certification of the elevation of the lowest floor to which the accessory structure is built is not required. The Dwelling Form of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy written to cover a 1-4 family residence also covers a detached garage on the lot,but the coverage is limited to no more than 10 percent of the limit of the liability on the dwelling.Use of this insurance coverage is at the policyholder's option but reduces the building limit of liability on the main building. In this case,an Elevation Certificate is not required for the detached garage to be covered under the Dwelling Form. If the property owner chooses to separately insure the detached garage under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy,then an Elevation Certificate will be required.Also,an Elevation Certificate is required if the property owner chooses to individually insure other accessory structures under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. Page 18 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin 18) If an Elevation Certificate is prepared as part of a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR- F), but a Base Flood Elevation is not available in a Zone A, how can a Base Flood Elevation be obtained? Zone A identifies a Special Flood Hazard Area,studied by approximate methods, for which no Base Flood Elevations have been developed or provided as part of the Flood Insurance Study. Because an Elevation Certificate may be used to obtain a LOMA or LOMR-F,a surveyor may need to obtain a Base Flood Elevation at a building site in order to complete the Elevation Certificate.In some cases,Base Flood Elevations may already exist in the approximate Zone A area for which the Certificate is needed.There are several sources that a surveyor can check in order to obtain a Base Flood Elevation.The following list highlights three major sources for potential Base Flood Elevation data: 1) State and local agencies: Check with the community floodplain management official.A Base Flood Elevation may have been developed as part of the floodplain development permit process before the building was constructed.Other local sources include the local public works department or the local transportation department,which may have developed flood data in designing sewer and storm drainage systems or local roads.Also,check with state agencies, such as Department of Natural Resources or a Geological Survey,which may have conducted flood studies using state funds,or the Department of Transportation. 2) Other Federal Agencies:Information regarding Base Flood Elevations may be obtained from other Federal agencies involved in floodplain management. Some of the sources of Base Flood Elevation data may include the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers,U.S.Geological Survey,or the Department of Agriculture,Natural Resources Conservation Service. 3) FEMA may have detailed flood information that has not yet been incorporated into the community's Flood Insurance Study.Data requests should be directed to the FEMA Map Assistance Center at 1-877-FEMA MAP. In some circumstances FEMA can calculate a Base Flood Elevation if the data to develop the Base Flood Elevation is available in the back-up data to the Flood Insurance Study. In some cases, a Base Flood Elevation may have to be developed for the building site by a qualified engineer.A list of additional sources for existing data as well as guidance in developing Base Flood Elevations can be found in the publication,Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas,A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base(100- year)Flood Elevations,FEMA 265/July 1995 NOTE: If the Elevation Certificate is to be used to support a LOMA or LOMR-F request,the Certificate must be submitted along with the application,supporting data,signatures,and FEMA review fees(only for LOMR-Fs),as appropriate,before the LOMA or LOMR-F can be processed. Page 19 of 20 National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Bulletin Further Information The Elevation Certificate and the Surveyor's Guide to the Elevation Certificate can be found at http://training.nfipstat.com/ecsurveyor/.The Elevation Certificate can be downloaded at this site. Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas,A Guide For Obtaining and Developing Base(100-year)Flood Elevations,FEMA 265,July 1995.Additional guidance pertaining to obtaining and developing Base Flood Elevations in Zone A can be found in this publication. Openings in Foundation Walls for Buildings Local in Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program,Technical Bulletin 1-93,FIA-TB-1 (4/93). Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage,Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems,FEMA 348,November 1999. To obtain a copy of these publications,see the section on Ordering Information below.They are also available to view and download from http://www.fema.gov/library/prepandprev.shtm/mit. Comments Any comments on the Floodplain Management Bulletin should be directed to: FEMA Mitigation Division 500 C St.,SW Washington,D.C. 20472 Ordering Information • Copies of the Elevation Certificate and Instructions(FEMA Form 81-31)and the above listed publications are available from: FEMA Distribution Facility P.O.Box 2012,Jessup,MD 20794-2012. FEMA's Distribution Facility also accepts telephone requests(1-800-480-2520)and facsimile requests(301-362-5335). • Copies of the Floodplain Management Bulletins can also be obtained from the appropriate FEMA regional office. Page 20 of 20 TEXAS TEXAS COMMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUAILITY (TCEQ) P. O. BOX 13087 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711-3087 Phone: (512) 239-4771/6155 FAX: (512) 239-4770 Coordinator: Michael Howard Email: mhoward @tceg.state.tx.us State Web Page: N/A State Association: tfma.org Handbook: Texas Guide to Local Floodplain Management NFIP BUREAU & STATISTICAL AGENT 15835 PARK TEN PLACE, SUITE 108 HOUSTIN, TEXAS 77084 Phone: (281) 829-6880 FAX: (281) 829-6879 Territory Manager: Diana B. Herrera, CFM Email: diana@nfipregion6.com Program Specialist: Dorothy Martinez Email: dorothy@nfipregion6.com NFIP Website: HTTP://www.fema.gov/nfip FEMA Region VI FEMA Floodplain Specialist/State of Texas Glen Beard (Southwest) Dale Hoff(north central) Phone: (940) 898-5170 Phone: (940) 898-5225 FAX: (940) 898-5195 FAX: (940) 898-5195 Glen.beard @dhs.gov dale.hoff @dhs.gov Lonnie Ward (Coastal) Carl Watts (panhandle) Phone: (940) 898-5334 Phone: (940) 898-5128 FAX: (940) 898-5195 FAX: (940) 898-5195 Lonnie.ward @dhs.gov carl.watts @dhs.gov