§ 78-129. Coastal high-hazard areas.

(a)

Located within the special flood hazard areas, established in the FIRMs adopted pursuant to this article, are areas designated as coastal high-hazard areas. These areas have special flood hazards associated with high-velocity waters from tidal surges and hurricane wave wash; therefore, in addition to meeting all provisions outlined in this article, the following provisions must also apply:

(1)

The elevation, in relation to mean sea level, must be obtained measured to the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding pilings and columns) of all new and substantially improved structures, and whether or not such structures contain a basement. The director shall maintain a record of all such information.

(2)

All new construction shall be located landward of the reach of mean high tide.

(3)

All new construction and substantial improvements shall be elevated on pilings and columns so that:

i.

The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to or above the base flood level;

ii.

The pile or column foundation and structure attached thereto is anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components; wind and water loading values shall each have a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year 100-year mean recurrence interval;

iii.

A registered professional engineer shall develop or review the structural design, specifications and plans for the construction and shall certify that the design and methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of this paragraph (3).

(4)

All new construction and substantial improvements shall have the space below the lowest floor 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 building or supporting foundation system.

i.

For the purpose of this section, a breakaway wall shall have a design safe loading resistance of not less than ten nor more than 20 pounds per square foot.

ii.

Use of breakaway walls which exceed a design safe loading resistance of 20 pounds per square foot (either by design or when so required by local or state codes) may be permitted only if a registered professional engineer certifies that the designs proposed meet the following conditions:

1.

Breakaway wall collapse shall result from a water load less than that which would occur during the base flood; and

2.

The elevated portion of the building and supporting foundation system shall not be subject to collapse, displacement or other structural damage due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components (structural and nonstructural). Maximum wind and water loading values to be used in this determination shall each have not more than one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (100-year means recurrence interval).

(5)

If breakaway walls are utilized, such enclosed space shall be usable solely for the parking of vehicles, building access or storage. Such space shall not be used for human habitation.

(6)

Use of fill for the structural support of buildings is prohibited.

(7)

Man-made alteration(s) of sand dunes and mangrove stands, which would increase potential flood damage is prohibited.

(M.C.S., Ord. No. 26906, § 1, 5-5-16, eff. 6-1-16)