In the flood hazard areas of Westminster, as established on flood hazard boundary maps furnished by the Federal Flood Insurance Agency, and on file in the office of the City Clerk, the following additional requirements shall be observed.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

(A)

All proposed development in a flood hazard area shall require a permit, which shall be reviewed to determine if such development adversely affects the flood-carrying capacity of the flood plain. For purposes of this chapter, ADVERSELY AFFECTS means damage to adjacent properties because of rises in flood stages attributed to physical changes of the channel and the adjacent over bank areas.

(B)

If it is determined that there is no adverse effect, and the development is not a building, then the permit shall be granted without further consideration.

(C)

If it is determined that there is an adverse effect, then technical justification (such as, a registered professional engineering analysis) for the proposed development shall be required.

(D)

If the proposed development is a building, then the following requirements are applicable:

(1)

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

(2)

Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement and commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to the level of the base flood elevation, or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be flood-proofed so that below the base flood level the structure is water tight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effect of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Building Official.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

All applications for development in a flood hazard area shall be accompanied by the following information:

(A)

Elevation in relation to mean sea level (MSL) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all proposed structures.

(B)

Elevation in relation to mean sea level (MSL) to which any nonresidential structure will be flood-proofed.

(C)

Certification by a registered professional engineer or architect that the nonresidential flood-proofed structure is suitably flood-proofed.

(D)

Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)

Mobile home parks and mobile home subdivisions are specifically prohibited in any designated flood hazard area.

(Ord. 2023-12-12-01, § 1(Exh.), passed 12-12-2023)