1.   Drainage facilities.  Storm drainage facilities shall be designed to convey the flow of stormwater runoff in a safe and efficient manner.  The system shall ensure drainage at all points along streets and provide positive drainage away from buildings.  The system shall also be designed to prevent the discharge of excess runoff onto adjacent properties.

2.   Sanitary sewer facilities.  All new or replacement sanitary sewer facilities and private package sewage treatment plants (including all pumping stations and collector systems) shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into the floodwaters.  In addition, they should be located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage and impairment.

3.   Water facilities.  All new or replacement water facilities shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration or floodwaters into the system and be located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.

4.   Streets.  The finished elevation of proposed new streets shall be no more than one (1) foot below the regulatory flood elevation

5.   Utilities.  All utilities such as gas lines and electrical and telephone systems being placed in flood-prone areas should be located, elevated (where possible) constructed to minimize the chance of impairment during a flood.

6.   Fill.  If fill is used, it shall:

(a)    Extend laterally at least fifteen (15) feet beyond the building line from all points.

(b)    Consist of soil or small rock materials only; sanitary landfills shall not be permitted.

(c)    Be compacted to provide the necessary permeability and resistance to erosion, scouring or settling.

(d)    Be no steeper than one (1) vertical to two (2) horizontal, unless substantiated data, justifying steeper slopes, are submitted to and approved by the building official.

(e)    Be used to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.

7.   Placement of buildings and structures.  All buildings and structures shall be constructed and placed on the lot so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water.  In doing so, consideration shall be given to their effect upon the flow and height of floodwaters.

8.   Anchoring.

(a)    All buildings and structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse or other movement, thus reducing the threat to life and property and decreasing the possibility of the blockage of bridge openings and other restricted sections of the watercourse.

(b)    All air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks located at or below the regulatory flood elevation shall be firmly anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation.

9.   Floor, walls and ceilings.  Where located at or below the regulatory flood elevation:

(a)    Wood flooring shall be installed to accommodate a lateral expansion of the flooring, perpendicular to the flooring grain, without incurring structural damage to the buildings.

(b)    Plywood shall be of any exterior or marine grade and of a water-resistant or waterproof variety.

(c)    Walls and ceilings in nonresidential structures shall have sufficient wet strength and be so installed as to survive inundation.

(d)    Window frames, door frames, door jambs and other components shall be made of metal or other water-resistant material.

10.  Electrical systems.

(a)    All electric water heaters, electric furnaces, electric air-conditioning and ventilating systems and other electrical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood elevation.

(b)    No electrical distribution panels shall be allowed at an elevation less than three (3) feet above the level of the one-hundred-year-flood elevation.

(c)    Separate electrical circuits shall serve lower levels and shall be dropped from above.

11.  Plumbing.

(a)    Water heaters, furnaces and other mechanical equipment or apparatus shall be permitted only at elevations above the regulatory flood.

(b)    No part of any on-site sewage disposal system shall be constructed within the designated Floodplain (FP) District.

(c)    Water supply systems and sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to preclude infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the system into floodwaters.

(d)    All gas and oil supply systems shall be designed to preclude the infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and discharges from the systems into floodwaters.  Additional provisions shall be made for the drainage of these systems in the event that floodwater infiltration occurs.

12.  Paints and adhesives.  Where located at or below the regulatory flood elevation:

(a)    Adhesives shall have a bonding strength that is unaffected by inundation (i.e., marine or water-resistant quality).

(b)    All wooden components (doors, trim, cabinets, etc.) shall be sealed with a marine or water-resistant quality or similar product.

(c)    Paints or other finishes shall be capable of surviving inundation (i.e., marine or water-resistant quality).

13.  Storage.  No materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or that in time of flooding could be injurious to human, animal or plant life shall be stored below the regulatory flood elevation.

Last Updated on September 29, 2008
This Visual Interactive Code is intended to assist property owners, developers and residents in understanding and applying the Township's land development ordinances; However, the VIC; does not contain the Township's official land use ordinances in the exact form in which they were adopted, and may not contain the most recent versions of these ordinances. Official copies of the Township's land use ordinances may be obtained by visiting Township offices during regular business hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Mondays through Fridays, or by contacting Township staff at 724-935-3090, extension no. 109.