§ 14-6.3. Enclosure standards.

New construction and substantial damage/improvement, 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:

(1)

A minimum of two (2) openings on separate walls having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided; and

(2)

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

(3)

In areas outside the Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), the total floor area of any enclosed area below the BFE of a residential structure shall not exceed two hundred ninety-nine (299) square feet, including breakaway walls.

(Ord. No. 25457 , § 1, 11-15-17)