§ 14-6.1. General standards.

In all areas of special flood hazards, the following provisions for permits are required for all new construction and substantial damage/improvement to ensure sites are reasonably safe from flooding:

(1)

Anchoring. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the building resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads including the effects of buoyancy. All manufactured homes shall also meet the standards of section 14-6.5.

(2)

Construction materials and methods. All new construction and substantial damage/improvement shall be constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage and using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during flooding.

(3)

Tanks. Underground and above-ground tanks shall be designed, constructed, installed and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement resulting from floodwater loads, including the effects of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and velocity. Tank inlets, fill openings, outlets, and vents shall be installed one foot above the base flood elevation or fitted with covers designed to prevent the inflow of floodwater and outflow of the contents of the tank during the base flood.

(4)

Foundations. Foundations and walls constructed below the base flood elevation shall be vented to equalize hydrostatic pressures.

(5)

Vents. Vent openings shall be permanent openings in the walls that allow for the free passage of water automatically in both directions without human intervention. Such venting shall be on at least two (2) sides of the structure, or enclosure, have a bottom at no more than one foot above the ground elevation. The total area of such venting shall be at least one square inch per square foot of enclosed footprint. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or automated float control in accordance with FEMA Technical Bulletin TB #1-08 Foundations and walls below the base flood elevation shall be constructed of flood resistant materials in accordance with FEMA Technical Bulletin TB #2-08. Alternatively, the project proponent may submit a design that will allow for automatic equalization of hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls, signed and stamped by a registered civil engineer and approved by the floodplain administrator. A window, a door, or a garage door is not considered a vent opening. If there are multiple enclosed areas within the foundation, each area must be vented as herewith described.

(6)

Non-conversion. In areas outside HSDRRS for residential structures, whenever there is a crawlspace height of more than five (5) feet between top of bottom floor and top of next higher floor or highest adjacent (finished) grade and top of bottom floor a declaration of land use restriction shall be executed and recorded in the conveyance book with the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, to put current and future occupants of a building on notice that the area below the base flood elevation may not be finished or converted to living space and that the space may only be used as limited storage, building access, and vehicle parking. The declaration of land use restriction shall be in a form acceptable to the floodplain administrator and Parish Attorney's Office. The floodplain administrator shall have the right to inspect annually for conversion with 72-hour notice.

(Ord. No. 25457 , § 1, 11-15-17)