Other use regulations
(a) Construction standards in special flood hazard areas (SFHA), zones AH, AO, A1-30, and AE.
(1) Within zones AH and AO on the FIRM, adequate drainage paths must be provided around structures on slopes, to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
(2) Within zones AO on the FIRM, new and substantially improved residential structures shall have the top of the lowest floor at least as high as the FIRM's depth number above the highest adjacent grade and nonresidential structures shall be elevated or floodproofed above the highest adjacent grade to at least as high as the depth number on the FIRM. On FIRMs without a depth number for the AO Zone, structures shall be elevated or floodproofed to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade.
(3) In zones A1-30 and AE, along watercourses that have a regulatory floodway designated on the Providence County FIRM encroachments are prohibited in the regulatory floodway which would result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
(b) [Subdivision proposal requirements.] All subdivision proposals must be designed to assure that:
(1) Such proposals minimize flood damage;
(2) All public utilities and facilities are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage; and
(3) Adequate drainage is provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(c) Accessory structures. Detached accessory structures in zones A, AE, A1-30, AO, and AH (i.e., garages, sheds) do not have to meet the elevation or dry floodproofing requirement if the following standards are met:
(1) The structure has a value less than $1,000.00.
(2) The structure has unfinished interiors and must not be used for human habitation. An apartment, office or other finished space over a detached garage is considered human habitation and would require the structure to be elevated.
(3) The structure is not in the floodway.
(4) The structure is not used for storage of hazardous materials.
(5) The structure is used solely for parking of vehicles and/or limited storage.
(6) The accessory must be wet floodproofed and designed to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwater.
(7) The accessory structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
(8) Service facilities such as electrical, mechanical and heating equipment must be elevated or floodproofed to or above the base flood elevation.
(9) The structure must not increase the flood levels in the floodway.
(d) [Contour intervals.] Existing contour intervals of site and elevations of existing structures must be included on plan proposal.
(e) [Change of use.] No person shall change from business/commercial to residential use of any structure or property located in the floodway of a special flood hazard area so as to result in a use or expansion that could increase the risk to the occupants.
(f) The space below the lowest floor [must be]:
(1) Free of obstructions as described in FEMA Technical Bulletin 5 "Free of Obstruction Requirements for Buildings Located in Coastal High Hazard Area in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program"; or
(2) Constructed with open wood lattice-work, or insect screening intended to collapse under wind and water without causing collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting piles or columns; or
(3) Designed with an enclosed area less than 300 square feet that is constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls that have a design safe loading resistance of not less than ten or more than 20 pounds per square foot.
(Ch. 580, § I, 8-20-13)